One could never estimate the value of self-examination, physically or spiritually. The medical profession encourages it in order to detect possible cancer growths. Lives have been saved because some serious physical condition was caught in time. Marriages have been saved because couples have been willing to look within themselves, rather than at each other, for some solutions to marital problems. Who knows how many have avoided losing their jobs because they saw areas where they could do better as employees. Self-examination, followed by personal improvement, very often has been the determining factor in the promotion of better living.
It should be no surprise that self-examination is essential in Christian living also. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—Unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Cor. 13:5) In his earlier epistle to Corinth Paul had written, “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup…” (1 Cor. 11:27-28).
By examining others, rather than ourselves, sometimes we ask the wrong questions. Instead of “What is the congregation doing for me?” would it not be better to ask, “What am I doing for this congregation?” Instead of “Why aren’t they more friendly?” it should be, “How friendly am I?” Instead of “Why don’t I get more out of the worship?” we should ask, “What do I put into the worship?” Instead of “Why doesn’t the preaching satisfy me?” we should ask, “Would any preacher satisfy everyone? Did Jesus?” Instead of “Why isn’t the church doing more?” we should ask, “What am I doing?”
Let each of us do a better job at self-examination. After all, it could save our soul if it is caught in time.
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