With Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread approaching, we are admonished by Apostle Paul to examine ourselves! "Examine ourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates? " (2 Cor. 13:5). Examine yourself, means to test your self; take a hard look at yourself. Reprobate, means, to be discredited; rejected; unapproved. This is the time and season we are to scrutinize, and test our self.

When in school we had tests to see if we qualified to pass to the next grade level. We were tested in Math, Spelling, English, History, etc, etc. When applying for jobs with City, County or State agencies, we are required to take written tests. The same is true to acquire a Real Estate license, drivers license or pilots license. Doctors and Nurses must repeat taking test to renew their licenses for another three or four years term. When first getting our license to drive we are given tests, both written and driving! In the Armed Forces you are given a test to see what job you are best suited for. Webster's dictionary defines tests as: 1. A base for evaluation; 2. A required proof of conformity with a set of beliefs; 3. To require a doctrinal oath. A test is to show us if we are prepared for what is next to come. To see if we are qualified for a job, position or to receive something. So to qualify for a job; a position; or receive something we have to be prepared.

Christ death turned transgressions into righteousness for our sake. He turned death into eternal life for us. Paul said, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Rom. 6:1-2). Paul is saying, The evidence is, that a man has equated sin to eternal death, but Paul continues, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Rom. 6:3). The phrase--"into Jesus Christ" means into union with Jesus Christ. We are immersed, buried with Christ unto death. Meaning, we have been baptized into the body of Christ. "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13). Paul restates again, "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection" (Rom. 6:4-5).

We are being enlightened to end the old way of life, bad habits: smoking---swearing--- foul temper ---drinking to excess, ect. ect. We are to clean up our life. Make changes! Learn to take care of thing, setting a good example for others to want to follow. Properly dressing for the job we are doing or representing "Dress for Success." In our homes, we were given the example of Ambassador College, it was always kept in neat and clean condition. Every thing was in order and picked up. We are taught good work habits from the word of God and we are taught health laws of cleanliness and holiness [Lev 11 & Deu. 14].

Jesus Christ practiced the qualifications of a minister and by His example others learned His Fathers ways. Just as we must learn God the Fathers way if we are to be kings and priests in the millennium. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:1-7). We are to set a good example in our neighborhood and with our friends. We are to be building Godly character so we can qualify to be a light to the world today and in the millennium.

Bible study and prayer habits can help snuff out the old way of life and a new way of life can begin. Our responsibility is to say no to our human lusts and desires and start building Godly character. We are to walk in newness of life by letting God's Holy Spirit lead us. Yielding to God will bring us a fresh start in life. It is this fresh start in which we are being tested. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God" (Rom. 6:5). Sin has no more dominion over us if we live by God's word. We are free from sin, if we so choose. Paul continues, "Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:11-13).

Humanly we have the power to bring sin back upon our self. "Sin is the transgression of God's law" (I John 3:4). Why is the term instrument used in verse 13? Read that verse again, "Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:13). An instrument is a tool, such as, shovel or pick to dig a hole. Wrenches to work on engines. Pots and pans to cook a meal, carpenter tools to build buildings.

God's Holy Spirit is the tool or instrument we are to use to overcome sin! It's like having a third arm, a helper. The choice is ours----to use it or not to use it!! "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:14-16). God's Holy

We read from scripture no man can serve two masters at the same time. "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16: 13). "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34).

God's servants will be known by their fruits. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23). These fruits makes them profitable servants! Why?? Because they are patient, not brawlers, teachable, yielding and eager to serve others. "But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Rom. 6:17-19). The Apostle Paul is saying, we should not just live up to the 10 Commandments, but we should be doing something profitable with our lives by going beyond the norm! This is where sacrificing come in. "For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:20-23). With this foundation laid, we see Paul is beseeching us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice! "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).

We are to hold nothing back! Our mind, heart, and body is to work as one unit, meaning: We are not to appear in church as righteous then go home when no one is around to see us start sinning and breaking God's laws. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13). The Apostle James also makes clear, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was" (James 1:23 -24). We cannot go on with our old former habits thinking we can fool God. We can fool ourselves, but we can never hide our sins from God. We can take a bath and be clean on the outside, but God looks on the inside. He sees our heart, our thoughts and our spiritual condition.

God's law's are to be magnified in our character. The mirror of truth never flatters!! If we repent and confess our sins God will forgive us. Sometime we hide what is really going on in our lives! Many would be embarrassed to have someone take the roof off their house and see in. Is your house an example, like Christ' house is? "For God is not the author of confusion, but let all things be done decently and in order" (I Cor. 14:33,40).

We must be aware of our personal obligation! We cannot just hide sin. We must put it away from us. We must change our life and character. We are to "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2). What does it mean to "be not conformed to this world?" Paul is not talking about style and clothes fashion of today. He had something different in mind. He was thinking about things of value, things of importance [setting a good example]. What you give your time to. What you give your life to. What are you working hard for? What are you willing to do without or what will you sacrifice for?

We know, as a purpose to salvation we must be willing to give up all for the Kingdom of God! We must be going on to perfection [Heb. 6 basic doctrines]. Every time we study God's word we gain knowledge and every time we kneel before God in prayer, our minds are being renewed. After praying, we look at things differently, we have more patience, more tolerance and we seek God's will to be done in our life!

We see an example of this in the book of Ezekiel. "Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out My fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness" Eze. 14:19-20).

We cannot work out somebody else salvation. It is ourselves we are to examine! Just as David did in Psalms 51. "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me" (Psa. 51:2-3). "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Psa. 51:12-13). David recognized that God grants mercy to those who ask for forgiveness of their sins, for breaking His laws.

We can read where Paul and James are in agreement. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified" (Rom. 2:13). "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was" (James 1:23).

Keep in mind the attitudes of Jeremiah, David and Paul when examining themselves! "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing" (Jer. 10:23- 24). It was not easy for Jeremiah to ask God for correction. David said in Psalms, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psa. 139:23- 24). David wanted to be led in the way of eternal life. He went straight to God.

The Apostle Paul examined himself and could see himself as he was. "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Rom. 7:14- 25).

These men were sincere and honest. They were striving with all their might to come out of sin, just as we need to be doing. What are the fruits these men were trying to live by? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Gal 5:22-26).

We read: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1).