Let a Man Examine Himself

In church every second Sunday we hear part of this scripture passage as part of communio
Sunday. The Lord asks that we take an honest look at ourselves to realize just who we really are, and how we really are. We should all take time to take an honest evaluation of ourselves to see what we need to improve. Students are given test and exams so that they can see exactly what they have and haven’t mastered.

Most Employers give their employees some type of Year-End-Evaluation so that the employee can see exactly how they are performing in the company and what areas they can improve in. It is my fundamental belief that God puts us through situation to test our faith and give us the opportunity to mature in our faith. (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:-2-4)

Socrates, the Greek philosopher said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The sad thing is that most people evade leading an examined life. It’s not that they don’t have time or make time. They actively avoid examining their lives for fear of what they will discover. Some people are afraid to take an honest look in the mirror to see them selves for what they really are. It’s said to hear people say a person is acting the say way they were 20 years ago, and not meaning this as a positive appraisal.

People who do examine their lives, who think about where they’ve been, how they got here, and where they’re going, are much happier people. No has all the answers. And no one’s life is free from trouble and strife. But those who have some sense of where they belong in the God’s universe also have a context for understanding how all the elements of their life fit together.

Anyone who desires to be the person that God wants us to be should actively exam themselves. Take a look the areas of your life and measure how much or how little you have improved in them.

• Is your faith in God stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year or even 5, or 10 years ago?
• Is your knowledge of God’s word stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is your Prayer Service /Bible Study attendance stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is your Sunday school attendance stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is you’re your ability to forgive others who have wronged you stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago? (Are you still holding something against someone?)
• Is you’re your ability to manage your money stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Are you committing the same sins that you were doing last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is your ability to give the way God wants you to stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is your ability to control your tongue stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• Is your ability to put God first in all area of your life stronger, weaker or the same as it was last year, or even 5 or 10 years ago?
• How to you measure up in Worshiping only God, Respecting all people, Humility, Honesty, Morality, Generosity, Patience, Righteousness (think about that one)

I’m sure you can think of more tha
I’ve listed here and if these were Courses in the School of God what would be your God Point Average (Honestly ) This is why it’s necessary to really look at ourselves and ask God to open our hearts and minds to change to his ways, and actively seek to make changes in our lives.

The unexamined life is a dangerous thing. We all have moments of frustration and doubt, wishing we had been better than we are at times. At these times, these moments reinforce how vital it is to take charge of our lives, to make the changes necessary as directed by the Holy Spirit. One of Jesus’ missions was to encourage and assist you with examining your life and strengthening your own spiritual and natural abilities to guide yourself to fulfillment.

Today is a new chapter in your life, and President Obama (as God did) as urged us to put way childish ways. Many children only think about what they want, and not the greater good. It’s time to ask ourselves what does God want of me. So, I urge you to examine yourself and consider what it is that is challenging you and/or what it is that you wish to accomplish with your life, then, ask the Lord to help you so that by doing so we can make this world a better place, by reflecting his will.

My thanks to Mark who gave me the idea for this article.