Examine Yourself

A short communion message on the theme of self examination.

As a process worker in a factory I can remember one of the most important jobs was that of the quality control people.

At Bonaire they would examine every air conditioner to make sure all the parts were installed and in good working order. They were there to measure the quality of the product.

The Bible talks of an examination for believers, an assessment - it’s something we undertake at this time of communion:
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

The Lord calls us to a SELF EXAMINATION. How do we measure up to what God wants for our lives?

The Bible talks of at least three things our Lord examines. Our Heart. Our Faith. Our Work.

Firstly… The Bible says that God examines
OUR HEART

Let us also take a look into our own heart.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

God examines the heart. Is it saved, or lost? Is it tender towards God, or hardened?

First let us be sure that our heart is yielded unto God.

Luther said, “I am more afraid of my own heart than the Pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, SELF”.

Let us take time to pause, and take account of our standing in the sight of God. Examine the accounts. This is a solemn act.

As David prayed: Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Just to note: the word translated prove is the same word in the Greek Bible as that first word, examine.

We must compare our heart and life by the Word. Do we know Christ as our Saviour and Lord? Does He have our heart?

Will we let God search out our hearts today?

Another area the Lord examines is…
OUR FAITH
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

The Bible talks of a faith that will carry us through trials. and it will all be to the praise and honour and glory of our Saviour.

I look back to when at one time I was a worker at another factory - the Bridgestone tyre factory - and one day I recall watching the quality control of a tyre. The assessor would set up the tyre on a machine that would run it repeatedly over a bump to punish the tyre, over and over again - to see what punishment it could sustain.

Our faith is tested also. The Bible talks of the trial of our faith. Our Lord calls us to a resilience of faith - that it will be a gold quality faith - despite all the trials and tests we face through life.

God is making you stronger for it. He’s making gold. This proving process is also a purifying process. We will come forth as gold.

How is our faith today? Is it assured in Christ? Are we established in the faith? We can strengthen our trust in Christ.

The Lord examines our Heart, and our Faith.

Another aspect is that the Lord examines is:

OUR WORK
1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man's work of what sort it is.

This word examine is also translated as try - or prove… As we would prove and test metals for their quality and strength.

Our work will be examined. How is our workmanship? What of our works, our practical application of our faith?

Some people worry a lot about gaining the approval of other people.

But what actually matters most is that we have God’s approval.

Again, here is a like word, to examine or prove…

Paul commended one who was approved: Romans 16:10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ.

And again: 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

God wants us to be approved, when faith is under fire from false teachings.

Again this is a like word to this examination, this proving our Lord calls us to.

Let us be those whose faith is firm and Biblical; grounded in Christ. Approved. Stamped with God’s stamp of approval. It’s to His pleasing. Not because of our own works, but because by faith we stand with God’s truth, not error.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Will you be approved, or be ashamed?
God is proving and approving of us.

What about you? Paul says examine yourselves.

Examine - test… Will we pass the test?

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Take time for personal reflection.
Search out and remove what is offensive to God.
Come to the Lord Himself - let it be an act of consecration, for His service.
Deliberately and honestly examine ourselves - our words, our conduct.

Examine your heart, your faith, your work.