Examining Ourselves
The purpose of spiritual self-examination at any time of the year, and especially prior to Passover, is that we properly discern the Lord’s body.
How can we know if we are discerning Christ’s sacrifice properly? First, we must recognize our own sins. The Apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). So, being truthful with ourselves is the starting point to realizing how priceless Christ’s sacrifice is for us.
However, taking God’s grace – and therefore Christ’s sacrifice – for granted can lead to spiritual lethargy. That lethargy can then degenerate into something far worse. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). To cover or hide from our sins is to treat Christ’s gift as if it were just something common, thereby eating and drinking judgment to ourselves. But Solomon concluded with the fact that God has mercy on those who not only confess, but also forsake those sins.
Finally, we need to realize that there is great depth in the concept of confessing sin, as John stated previously. Solomon added that confession of sin is also combined with the forsaking of it as well. King David adds intensity for us. He wrote, “I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. I cry out to You; save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:145–147). When confessing to God, we also cry out in prayer with our whole heart – with all our might. In that attitude, God knows we want to do as He would have us do. He knows that we discern the priceless value of our Savior’s life given for us. And as John said, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Will we still sin? Yes, and each time we must be truthful with ourselves and confess it to God with our whole heart in fervent prayer, beseeching Him for power to change and for His mercy. In that state, we can know that we properly discern the Lord’s body.
Marshall Stiver
