July 2, 2021 EXAMINE YOUR OWN WORK
Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.”
While in school, I do not remember one time looking forward to exams. The very word exam has a negative overtone-especially if it is an exam that is to evaluate me personally in some way. However, examination is a good thing. We would all want the mechanics to carefully examine the engines of the airplane before take-off-right? Personal examination is a check-up to make sure we are on the right path. Because most of us live busy lives, we may neglect taking time out to examine and evaluate our relationship with the Lord (our spiritual health) as well as our physical, emotional, and mental health. Following is a list of questions that are good to ask of ourselves; they are questions that require us to take a deep look within, but they are not meant to condemn us-but to help us. As we answer these questions, let us be honest, and if we find that we are lacking in certain areas, let us be willing to make adjustments where needed. “What are my priorities in life?” “Is knowing God my greatest desire?” “Do I have a desire to do things that please the Lord and do I actually take action on that desire?” “Are my relationships with others healthy?” “Do I spend time in reading God’s word?” What is my general attitude like?” “Is God pleased with the programs I watch on TV or on-line?” There are many other questions we can ask ourselves as we are in the process of evaluating and examining our lives. Again, the goal of personal examination is to help us and to show us if there are aspects of our lives that need adjustment. Self-examination is about how we are doing personally, but it is also about how we are doing with others. As believers, we are a part of the body of Christ, and we have responsibilities in the body of Christ. We are called to function in the body; we are to bear one another’s burdens, to love one another, to encourage one another, and etc. As we evaluate ourselves, it should include if and how we are relating to other believers. Let us realize that our life is not our own, and that we belong to Christ and that He calls us to live as unto Him. So, go ahead and take the exam; if you don’t pass with ‘flying colors’ that’s ok. God is pleased when we are concerned with our spiritual health and He will come to our aid when it is our desire to be rightly related to Him.
2 Corinthians 13:5 “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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