Are you really an honest person? Can you objectively and thoroughly examine your activities for the past year? Or are you so fearful of the outcome of such an examination that you refuse even to think of your status before God? It’s time for all of us to take a personal, honest look at ourselves, individually and collectively. For some of us the day is not far off when God will pass judgement upon us, but we should always be willing to “examine” ourselves to discover whether or not we are “in the faith,” (2 Corinthians 13:5), whether we are ready for that time of judgment.
A Collective Examination
What about this body of the saved, this church of Jesus Christ in Dripping Springs? Are we really doing what the Body of Christ should be doing? Jesus came to earth to “seek and save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10. Are we actively doing that? We cannot do that collectively if we are not doing so individually. We have programs, give out tracts and DVDs, teach classes, print articles and preach sermons, but we cannot hire someone else to do what we need to do.
Think carefully and personally about the following questions in your own personal self-examination:
Have you really grown spiritually this year?
The recipients of the book of Hebrews were told that by reason of “time” they should have grown and been doing things that growing Christians do. In 2 Peter 5:18 we are told that Christians must “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Are you more knowledgeable of the Bible, have you grown closer to Jesus Christ than you were last year at this time?
Verse 17 of that context reveals that a lack of growth can cause you to be “led away with the error of the wicked.” Why not determine to grow more in the coming year, studying and learning God’s word!
Are you making full use of your talents?
In Jesus’ parable found in Matthew 25 He clearly and forcefully declared that one must not merely sit by and allow his/her knowledge and talents to become dormant. He will never expect from us that which we cannot do – but He does expect us to do what we can! Even the proverbial “one talent man” was responsible to use the “talent” given to him, but he failed to do so. His problem was not immorality, just apathy. Do you recall Jesus’ words to that man?
“..cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” Matthew 25:30.
You can be sure that such would be an eternity you want to avoid at all costs! Don’t wait until your talents have diminished or shriveled up with neglect.
Do you truly give as God prospers you?
We are familiar with the biblical instruction to “lay by in store as God hath prospered him.” How long has it been since you honestly considered the blessings you enjoy from the hand of God? We could speak of our children and other ways by which we have been blessed in our lives. The text quoted above, 1 Corinthians 16:2, is referring to the funds, the money in your care, in your stewardship. Those funds in your possession must, with generous and cheerful hearts, be given for the purposes stated in the Bible. Why not take a look at your giving this year?
Have your friends and family seen Christ living in you?
I know this may make you uncomfortable, but there are many who watch you, who consider you to be an example of what a Christian is and should be. Are they seeing Christ living in you, as we read in Colossians 1:27? Are you walking “in his steps,” 1 Peter 2:21-23? Will your life and your example draw others to Christ? Do your children see you studying your Bible? Have they heard you pray? What if they follow your example – will they be led to greater service in His kingdom? Think about that!
Does God’s Kingdom occupy
first place in your daily life?
What is most important in your life? Is your soul prospering because your priorities are in order as Jesus would have them be? The Holy Spirit inspired the apostle John to write in 3rd John 1:2, referring to a Christian by the name of Gaius:
“I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
Would you be satisfied to have your physical health be as sound as is the health of your soul? Paul spoke of some Christians as being “asleep,” 1 Corinthians 11:30. Their souls were not in good health, but were asleep! The solution can be found in Matthew 6:33.
What is first and most important in your life? Is it the kingdom of God? Or is it your job, your hobby, your bank account or the next big football game?
Please be honest with yourself in this brief test. Your eternal destiny hangs in the balance. Let us all resolve to do much better next year!
