Examining Yourself

I Corinthians 11:27-32, II Corinthians 13:4-5, Galatians 6:1-10

Communion in our setting includes the bread and cup as well as foot washing.  With COVID-19 we are not doing the foot washing.  We remind ourselves to come with clean feet; the external.  But what about the internal, the invisible, the heart.  Do we come with an examined heart?  We are admonished to do so.

In I Corinthians 11:27-32  Paul connects examination with communion.  Selfishness was present and difference were obvious at communion where oneness should have been visible.  To examine oneself before communion is necessary to avoid judgment.  Failure to rightly examine your heart has consequences.  That is why some are sick, weak, and others have died.  Our goal should be to examine the whole of life regularly.  It is for our own good.

In II Corinthians 13:4-5 some are questioning Paul as to whether or not he is a real apostle.  Paul, so to speak puts a mirror up to them and challenges them to examine their our heart which will include motives.  The concept of self examination of the heart is not just something we do before communion, it is an on going process.

In Galatians 6:1-10 we are encouraged to be encouragers to others.  Examine yourselves.  Test yourselves - see verse 4.  We are justified by faith and not the works of the law.  We can not be righteous on our own account.  Christ's righteousness is imputed on our account.

 

The main point:

 "We must be aware of the pride and insensitivity of our spirit that keeps us from humbly approaching God and asking that he guide our spirit and searching  our hearts."

Listen to messages