2 PETER 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
THEME OF THE DAY: TIME FOR A SPIRITUAL CHECK-UP TIME. We know the importance of regular medical check-ups. Likely we go through the routine of a yearly physical as the means to get thorough examinations for our well-being.
There is also the need for regular spiritual examinations to ascertain where we are in our walks with the Lord Jesus. Remember, the goals in the Christian life are not getting to heaven, being forgiven of our sins, and having the wrath of God removed from us. Obviously, those are tremendous benefits of salvation in Christ, but when it comes to the Christian life, the goal is one. It is the goal God works in us for His good pleasure and that is conforming us into the image of Christ.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:28-29).
In the process of this transforming work of God, we have responsibilities too. We don’t just “let go and let God”. We are to cooperate with self-control, self-discipline, self-denial, and self-examination.
The last one, self-examination, should be regularly, maybe even monthly, even better, weekly. And what follows is a list of ten questions to examine our spiritual lives. I suggest we get alone with the Lord with an open Bible and be examined. And a good addition to our exam is an excellent book we should own and devour by Donald Whitney titled Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health. It is the source for the ten questions that follow. I will provide scripture references with each to direct our examination.
- Do we thirst for God? Psalm 63:1-2; Philippians 3:7-11
- Are we governed increasingly by God’s Word? Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2
- Are we more loving? John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 3:14
- Are we more sensitive to God’s Presence? Matthew 28:20; Psalm 139:1-18
- Do we have growing concern for spiritual and temporal needs of others? James 2:15-16; Matt. 9:36
- Do we delight in the Bride of Christ? Psalm 16:3; Acts 2:38-42; Ephesians 5:25-27
- Are spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you? Hebrews 12:14; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 5:17
- Do we grieve over sin? Psalm 51:1-17; Luke 22:61-62
- Are we quick to forgive? Ephesians 4:32
- Do we yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus? Psalm 73:25; John 17:24; Philippians 1:23
Just as physical examinations, even when we do not feel pain or think anything is wrong, are vital to our bodily health, spiritual examinations are more so. It is the inward life as a believer that is of far greater importance than our constantly declining outward life. Let’s seek to schedule spiritual examinations on a regular basis.
May the Lord help us to do so to avoid the dreaded disease of self-deception; the self-deception that lulls us into a place where we think all things spiritually are well in our lives when the truth might be just the opposite!
PRAYER: Father, create within me an insatiable thirst for You, Your Son, and Your Spirit.
REFLECTION: Any spiritual growth begins with spiritual thirst turned into spiritual discipline.