Examine Yourself

When was your last spiritual examination? Most of us are familiar with physical exams. They are often required for sports and various professional licenses.  A physician had to inspect me to declare I was of sound mind and body in order to get a teaching license in Alaska.  You may be familiar with the routine: stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, bright light in the eyes, probe in the ear, mallet to the knee, awkward cough.  

But what about an inspection of our spiritual condition. How can we know if we have a soft heart and a transformed mind?  How can we avoid becoming plank-eyed pharisees who criticize the sin specks of others while excusing our own faults and failures?  How do we know that the grace that has saved us is operating in us, circulating, and flowing out of us?  

We likely we need an examination.  A self-examination. If we are bold, we might even ask for a second opinion on the matter. Some caring friends may offer an honest appraisal of our spiritual and moral health if we are humble enough to ask them. 

And if you find, as is likely, that your spiritual health is impaired by sin, I can recommend an exceptional doctor. Jesus is the great physician.  Take your condition to him for healing and restoration. 

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (1 Corinthians 13:5)