Let Us Examine Ourselves

Everyone should have built into their day a period of time for meditation and self-examination. Self-examination on its own is not healthy or productive because it needs to be done in a proper context. They only proper context I trust is the Word of God. Self-examination on its own will create a sense of uselessness, failure and depression. We need to take time for self-examination but it must be done against a proper standard which also offers us hope, and that standard and hope is Jesus.

Too often we go through our day without much thought to what we are doing or saying. We are existing, surviving, making it through, and not realizing the consequences of our actions and words on ourselves and those around us. "Let things fall where they must" is our attitude not realizing we will be held accountable for every careless word and every callus action. The exercise of reflection, self-examination during meditation on God's Word, measures us against the standard of Jesus, revealing the things for which we need to confess, repent and repair where possible.

This is not a new notion:

Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.
We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned. (Lamentations 3:40-42)

Our spiritual journey is all about growth and maturity but if we refuse to acknowledge our mistakes we will never grow. Everything is already forgiven, that was the work of the cross, but there is a reason we have been told to confess our sins. Confession is an acknowledgement of wrong doing. It is when we say "I have messed up; I have sinned". It is when we repent of such behaviour and allow the Spirit to correct our ways. It is a time of saying sorry to people, of seeking forgiveness and making reparation if possible. It keeps us humble and moving in the right direction.

It is a healthy daily activity and attitude when done in the context of our relationship in Jesus. It is vital for our growth and maturity. It is conscience clearing and cleansing. It is tearing down mountains and filling in valleys so that our path is straight. I strongly suggest you start with today.