11/17/2024 – Day 147 – 2 Corinthians – Chapters 11 – 13 / 1) Examine yourself – 13:5 / (2) Mormonism’s “angel of light” – 11:14
We have a previous cycle post on 10/11/2020 covering “The Vision of Paradise” that Paul proclaims: “I knew a man…” – 12: 1-6.
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First, for today, let’s take a look at “Examine yourself”:
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you know yourselves. that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.” 13: 5 – 6
“The Evidence – NKJV” Bible commentary on 13:5 reads as follows from page # 1674 :
“Contrary to Scripture, the modern gospel assures people that if they sincerely pray a ‘sinner’s prayer,’ they should never doubt their salvation. Some go so far as to say that any doubts are from the devil. With eternity at stake, however, Paul admonishes believers to test themselves to make sure their faith is sound and secure.
Think of what you would do if you were wearing a parachute and waiting to jump out of a plane. You would have faith in the parachute, but you would also regularly check to make sure that the straps are firm. Once you have put on the Lord Jesus Christ through conversion (repentance and faith), you should regularly examine yourself to see how firm your relationship is with the Lord. Are you reading the Word daily? Do you have regular prayer? Are you fighting sin, or giving in to it? Are you living in holiness? Are you confessing sin? How is your relationship with other Christians? Is there any hidden bitterness against anyone? Are you sharing your faith? What is your greatest passion? Is it the Lord, or are material things more important ? Do you love the world and the things in the world? On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your walk with God? It should be a ten. If it is not, strive to make it a ten. See also page 1630″
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The next commentary covers 11:14 but for context, I will give you the Bible verses first from verses 12 through 15:
“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:12 – 11:15)
And the commentary:
“11:14 Mormonism’s “angel of light.” The Scriptures warn against preaching ‘another Jesus’ (2 Corinthians 11:14) and that Satan himself can appear to us as an ‘angel of light.’ Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism said it was an ‘angel’ clothed in light that gave him ‘another testament’ which turns out to be another ‘gospel’ entirely.
Rather than the good news that Jesus paid for our sin, this new ‘gospel’ that the ‘angel’ gave to Smith involves a lifelong labor to earn salvation – a salvation by works and not by faith alone. The Book of Mormon says, ‘For we know that it is grace that we are saved, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23, emphasis added). Spencer W. Kimball, a Mormon prophet and church president, said:
One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 206)
Yet the Bible makes it very clear that salvation has nothing to do with our works: ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2: 8,9). Titus 3:5 says, ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.’ For details on how Mormons attempt to earn salvation, see page 1684.”
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Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.
Thoughts? / Reflections? / Prayers?
Soli Deo Gloria!