Scripture for Self-Examination
Epistle of James, Epistle of Paul to the Romans (12:9-21), Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, First Epistle of John, Sermon on the Mount - Matthew Chapter 5
Download pdf
Epistle of James
Temptations (1:12-18)
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord had promised to those who love Him.
(We are to rejoice even in temptations. Our attitude toward them reveals whether or not we are prepared for heaven.)
Hear and Do (1:19-27)
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
(For us to understand the righteousness of God requires patience, graciousness, and controlled passions.)
The Law of Love (2:1-13)
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
(The standard by which we judge is that by which we will be judged; the mercy we give will be the mercy we receive.)
Controlling what we say (3:1-12)
If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
With it [speech] we bless our God and father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Quarrels (4:1-10)
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
Criticizing Others (4:11-12)
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law.
(Belittling criticism of others is another way pride is revealed in our speech. It is a lack of faith united with evil works, an offense both to the person criticized and to God.
Being Overly Confident (4:13-17)
To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Epistle of Paul to the Romans (12:9-21)
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly, affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” says the Lord.
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
with all lowliness and gentleness,
with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace...
To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift... for the equipping of saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ... You should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk... Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.(4:1-24)
“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”
“Be angry, and do not sin”; do not let the sun go down on your wrath
(Be angry with the Devil and not your own member. This is why God has armed us with anger. That that we should thrust the sword against our own bodies, but that we should baptize the whole blade in the devils’ breast. - St. John Chrysostom)
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who is in need.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
First Epistle of John
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1:8-9)
(Sin does exist exist and confession is the established basis for growth toward righteousness. Salvation in Christ is a process of growth into sinlessness.)
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him...He who abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked. (2:4-6)
(Those outside of Christ will not become partakers of His life unless they, by God’s grace, practice what He says.)
He who says e is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light... (2:9-11)
(To love God is also to love one another)
Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world...is not of the Father but is on the world. (2:15-16)
(The world here is the creation after the Fall and under the dominion of Satan. It is creation no longer oriented toward God, but dominated by inordinate passions and subject to death. It is the world we experience daily.)
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! ...it had not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (3:1-2)
(Made in God’s image and likeness, we are fulfilled by becoming like Him, a process called sanctification or deification. How shall we see Him? Through our likeness to Him; our human nature will be glorified with the glorified humanity of the Son and through a knowledge of all three persons of the Trinity.)
He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in Him. (3:14-15)
( John Cassian writes: “If we wish to receive the Lord's blessings we should restrain not only the outward expression of anger, but also angry thoughts.)
Whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and shuts his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (3:17)
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (4:8)
If we love one another, God abides in us.... (4:12)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear... (4:18)
Sermon on the Mount - Matthew Chapter 5
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:3)
(Blessed means heavenly, spiritual blessedness rather than earthly happiness or prosperity. The poor in spirit, the humble and lowly, have the heart of the poor and their total dependence on God. These are truly the “spiritually rich.”)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (5:4)
(Those who mourn over their sins and the suffering of mankind are genuinely repentant, to be comforted in the new age. Holy sorrow is to be distinguished from ungodly sorrow which is a sadness that leads to despair. Mourning can extinguish the flame of anger and make a person meek.)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (5:5)
(Meekness is an attitude of being content with both honor and dishonor. It is an imitation of Christ who said, “Learn from Me, for I am gentle [meek] and lowly in heart.” Meekness is not passive gentleness, but strength under control.)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (5:6)
(They feel the impulse and desire to fulfill the Will of God by their worship of and obedience to God.)
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (5:7)
(Mercy is love expressed in action. In view of God’s lovingkindness we in turn are to be merciful to all others.)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (5:8)
(The pure in heart are devoted to the worship and service of God. With the aid of the Holy Spirit they practice all the virtues and are not conscious of any evil in themselves and live in temperance. This is a spiritual stage attained by very few in this life. When the soul is not dominated by sinful passions nor its energy dissipated by things of this world, its only desire is God, then the heart shall see God.)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (5:9)
(The Holy Spirit gives peace to those who meditate on Christ and imitate Him. Peace brings communion with God and concord with all creation, the sign of our sanctity.)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)
(The Children of God uphold God's truth and refuse to compromise with the ways of the world. They give themselves up to no other.)
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (5:11-12)
(The willingness to suffer persecutions show a Christian's loyalty and unity with Jesus Christ. Suffering for Christ is attended with inexpressible joy.)
You are the salt of the earth.... You are the light of the world.... Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven. (5:13-16)
(Disciples of Christ are to manifest the light of patient goodness bringing glory to their Father in heaven.)
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so , shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. (5:19)
Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. (5:22)
Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with he in his heart. (5: 28)
(Sin does not come out of nature, but out of internal self-indulgence. He who feasts on lust within himself brings sin into his heart through his thoughts.)
I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (5:39)
(Jesus warns us not to resist violence with more violence. Evil, and the evil person, can be overcome only by good.)
I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. (5:44)
(He offers the greatest possession of all--perfect love. That is a gift which can only be possessed by the one who, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, manifests God’s love for all. Such love calls us to bless, do good, and pray--even for enemies. Love of neighbor is the sign of having become a true child of God. Love is not merely an emotion. It is a divine grace--an uncreated divine energy--which inflames the soul and unites it to God and to other people.) |
