Time for an Examination

1 Corinthians 11:28 begins by saying, "But let a man examine himself "... This passage is referring to the examination that we are to do before we partake in communion, but I want to focus on that short phrase there, "let a man examine himself."

It is very important that we take the time and examine ourselves really take a look inside of ourselves, that we peel back the mask that we wear in front of others, get past all of the superficial stuff that is really not trully who we are, and examine ourselves...Doesn't look all that great does it? You and God are the only ones that can look inside of you and see the real you, to see all of your shortcomings, to see all of your past failures, to see all of your hopes and dreams, to see all of those thoughts that you wouldn't share with anyone, to see to the very intentions of your heart, to see all of the potential that is in you, to see all of the talents, abilities, and skills that are within you, only you and God can see the REAL you!!!

But, before you do that let me caution you because there are ditches on either side of the road that we all fall into at one time or another when we are performing a "soul examination," the first ditch is the ditch of denial, when confronted with who we reallt are we can simply deny the truth and say that is not who I am, I am not like that. These problems, thoughts, or shortcomings are not really there, they were simply one-time occurences. And we can go on and on with the excuses and the self-justification, but know this the Bible says in Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Isn't that great to know?? ALL, that means everyone of us, saint and sinner, but the Bible also says this in Romans 5:20 - Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Another passage states that God's grace is sufficient, and thank God it is, because all of us fall short of the glory of God, Christian and sinner!!

The second ditch that we can fall into is the ditch of condemnation, where when examining yourself you begin to condemn yourself for the fact that you have messed up or you beat yourself up, or punish yourself for sins that you have comitted, for wrongs that you have done that God has already forgiven you for. There is no need for this, the Bible says in Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If you have asked God's forgiveness, if you are walking after the Spirit, if you are striving to life your life for Christ, striving to become closer to him, forgive yourself for your past sins and leave the condemnation behind you and live the life that God has for you, He said in the Scripture, I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly...so live life in Christ and I gaurantee it will be an abundant life!!!

So when examining yourself, let God do it because not only can he show you the areas where you have fallen short, but he will also show you areas where you have grown in Him and this will give you hope for the areas where you still fall short!!

God Bless,
Nathan