On Self-Examination: “Not All Self-Examination Leads to True Knowledge of Self”
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. NKJV
While self-examination is provided for us in our liturgical formula the question may linger of whether we, as purposing to come to the Lord’s Supper, have used the correct method that leads to a true knowledge of self. One way in which true knowledge of self is denied is to assume that you aren’t all bad and that you have some spiritual knowledge even from birth.
To assume that there is spiritual goodness in your natural heart makes it impossible to have a fruitful examination of self. The Bible, the Word of God, states most emphatically, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good , and does not sin” Ecc.7:20; and. “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen.8:21), and again, as St. Paul says, Romans 7:14-15, “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. The natural heart is spiritually wicked and all evil thoughts proceed from an evil heart” also, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man”, as Jesus said in Mark 7:21-23.
If man’s heart is bereft of any spiritual goodness, how then could he have true knowledge of himself when he only pretends to have a heart that is by nature good? This is impossible, for where he would find sin, he finds only plausible excuses of why he is what he is.
Another false examination that leads you away from your true self is to measure your lives by the standards of others. There are many Christians who believe that this is a good means of self-examination, and it seems reasonable, but it is not a Christian means. This is explained by Jesus in the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector.
Luke 18:11-14 (NKJV) tells us: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:11-14 (NKJV) tells us: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Our observation of others is at most superficial and our view of ourselves is not then based on reality. For we are all in the same boat when it comes to sinning. Yes, you are in the same boat, as we all are, and that boat not only has sprung a leak but has already sunk.
The only test that really examines who you really are is to hold up the standard of God’s Law. It is by this law of holiness that you should examine yourselves prior to communing – it is God’s Law demanding moral perfection and holiness that is set up as our standard. We may not be murderers, adulterers, or thieves, but do we “call upon God in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks”? Do you look forward to and delight in partaking of the true and essential body and blood of your Lord Jesus Christ, or do you see it as just a traditional thing that regular church people do? This last statement presents another danger, and probably the most dangerous; a danger that defeats the process of self-examination: The proposition that genuine sincerity is lacking, by which I mean faith itself is lacking. It is impossible to obey God’s Word to examine oneself with a light-minded, superficial, routine attitude. Unless you use the spiritual meaning of God’s law to examine yourself, without excuses, you will never know the wretchedness of your heart and will never desire the sweetness of the Gospel to save and uplift your soul.
Therefore, the Law needs to fulfill its purpose in bringing us to a conviction of our sins. This is indeed the highest office of the Law, to see our sin, sin to us personally that we may despise it. Once that is accomplished then the question of faith is issued, namely, that which St. Paul asked: Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!
We should always go to our Savior then with all our sins, acknowledging that we, like St. Paul, should be considered the chief of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NKJV) “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” By faith, possess Christ and make what He has done your personal possession. For Christ is the friend of sinners as He offers us the benefits of His life and death for us. It is only by, through, and in faith whereby the righteousness of Jesus is your very own – and Christ’s righteousness cannot fail to save to the uttermost.
Therefore, after you have examined yourself rightly, you should always receive in this Sacrament the true body and blood of your Lord, as it communes with the bread and the wine, as a pledge that your sins will be made white and pure as snow. For as Isaiah says: “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Amen.
Next Wednesday we will have a brief devotion on 1 Corinthians 10:15:16-17.
Next Wednesday we will have a brief devotion on 1 Corinthians 10:15:16-17.
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