Our Lives in Retrospect:As christians,Family & members of society
A sermon excerpt on Stock taking and self examination
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves, how that Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates. 2 Corinthians 13:5
As the year draws to a close and a new year awaits us, it is paramount that as believers we take stock of our lives as the word of God directs us. There is the need for reexamination of our lives.
As the philosopher Socrates also puts it- An unexamined life is not worth living.
Our lives in retrospect will focus on three areas:
1. Our Lives as Christians
2. Our lives as family people
3. Our Lives as members of the wider society
Our Lives as Christians
As Christians how well have we done in keeping our charge. In obeying God’s commandments and living by his standards? Do our lives reflect the life that Christ expects? Loving God with all our hearts, soul and mind. Are we thankful to God for what he has done in our lives this year? Do you acknowledge what God has done in your life or do we credit our achievements and successes to our intelligence and master strategic plans.
What about your speech? Does it glorify God? When others listen to you speak does it bring hope and encouragement to their hearts or it rather makes them sad or brings discouragement to their hearts. What have you done to encourage someone who has come to Christ to remain in Him and not backslide?
Remember, God knows our real intent. He cannot be mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7, 8.
Our lives as Family people
For those of us married----How well have you dealt with your spouses this year? Husbands – have you loved your wives this year as the word says? Have you loved your wives even as Christ loved the church? Do you think seriously about their happiness and wellbeing? Are you faithful to them and do you treat them with respect; or you see them as your property or plaything. Remember, you will render accounts as to how you have dealt with your spouse.
Wives – do you submit to your husbands as the church submits to the Lord? Is their wellbeing your concern? Do we give them the respect they deserve or do you talk to them like you’re speaking to your children? Do you compare your husbands to other men and make them feel inadequate or incapable?
As parents – How are you bringing up the young ones? What virtues are you teaching them? Among other things the virtues of respect for people, humility, integrity and appreciation must be taught them. We must teach them about God and pray together with them and share the word with them.
As children – have you dealt with your parents and the elderly with respect? The Bible says – honour your parents that it shall go well with you and that you shall live long on the earth. Ephesians 6: 1 -3
Our relationships with members of the wider community
Our Neighbours, workmates, colleagues, employers, employees, institutions ect. How well do you relate with the institutions we are part of? Do we give off our best or are you just marking time and being critics of everything happening. God will not leave you blameless, if you do not do what is expected of you as an employer or an employee. Do you treat your employees with respect or as slaves?
How well are you doing with what is expected of you as an individual? Your prime focus should not be on government or the state but on what you can do to become a better person, citizen, employee ect.
Where ever we find ourselves – we must examine the areas we did poorly and work to find solutions to them. May the blessings of God be with us all for evermore, AMEN.
Delivered by: Brother Daniel Etse (sermonist), Oforikrom Church of Christ (English Assembly) Sunday, 7th Dec, 2014, Kumasi, Ghana