by Fawehinmi Oluwatobi
As you march on this year, add this to your daily seeking of the Lord if you have not, to search your heart and to know whether you are sound. This is a daily matter. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
‘‘There is great necessity for close self-examination in the light of God's word; let each one raise the inquiry: Am I sound, or am I rotten at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with a new dress put on the outside?" Testimonies Volume 2 144.1
How do we get this done? We read the following:
"There is much in the conduct of a minister that he can improve. Many see and feel their lack, yet they seem to be ignorant of the influence they exert. They are conscious of their actions as they perform them, but suffer them to pass from their memory, and therefore do not reform. If ministers would make the actions of each day a subject of careful thought and deliberate review, with the object to become acquainted with their own habits of life, they would better know themselves. By a close scrutiny of their daily life under all circumstances they would know their own motives, the principles which actuate them. This daily review of our acts, to see whether conscience approves or condemns, is necessary for all who wish to arrive at the perfection of Christian character." Testimonies Volume 2, p 511.2
Some Points To Note
If you desire to arrive at perfection of Christian character, you would affirm with me that we must not think that the foregoing quotation is for ministers in the pulpit alone or full time ministers. It applies to all Christians.
Make the actions of each day a subject of careful thought and deliberate review.
Become acquainted with our own habits of life.
Self-examination would lead to discovering the motives that actuate us.
If we wish to perfect Christian character, this activity is a must.
Therefore, as we see the Second Coming fast approaching, we must, "Guard jealously your hours for prayer, Bible study, and self-examination. Set aside a portion of each day for a study of the Scriptures and communion with God. Thus you will obtain spiritual strength, and will grow in favor with God. He alone can give you noble aspirations; He alone can fashion the character after the divine similitude." Gospel Workers p 100.