Self-Examination

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The implication from the text is that there is a time for everything. The list the author provided was not intended to be exhaustive, but representative. There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven: birth and death, planting and harvesting, war and peace, all have their appointed time.

Perhaps it is time for us to take personal inventory and do some self-examination.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and commanded self-examination: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Perhaps it is time for us to take personal inventory.

• Are we in the faith?
• How do we know?
• What standard do we use?

Some answer these questions with: “I feel it in my heart!”

But, can we trust our feelings? Didn’t Saul feel he was doing God’s bidding when he persecuted the church? He said, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). He was wrong, and later self-examination shows that!

Others seek to determine whether or not they are “in the faith” by comparing themselves with other Christians.

That won’t work either, because the standard is flawed. We are all imperfect. Again, Paul warned: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12). Our self-examination must use a reliable standard.

Only one reliable standard exists for determining whether or not we are “in the faith.”

That standard is the word of God. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Where do we stand in respect to the commands of the Almighty?

How do we compare with the perfect standard – Jesus Christ? Where do we need to do better? Remember Jesus’ warning: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Now you know why we place so much emphasis upon the Scriptures.

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully