Examining Oneself! By Scripture

For if anyone things himself to be something,

when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let each one examine his own work,

and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone,

and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Galatians 6:3–5

But let a man examine himself,

and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner

eats judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

1Corinthians 11:28–29

            Paul in Galatians is speaking about restoring a person who is in some trespass but do so by first examining yourself. In 1Corinthians Paul is speaking about examining ourselves before taking of the bread and wine, the communion or Lord’s Supper. In the secular world people are instructed to examine themselves, in health, in work, how they treat other people, etc.. So it is wise to examine oneself. Many do little or nothing when it comes to self–examination, especially in the Church where they have come to tacitly believe all that is taught without examining if it is correct theologically or not. To examine ourselves theologically, the divine truth and the knowledge it demands should develop in us an indisposition in our self–confidence in our own powers. This self–examination should aid us to attain to the true goal both in speculation and practice. People are willing to self–examination in many cases because it invites one to ponder our good qualities, but does not lead a person to become overwhelm with shame, our miserable destitution and ignominy (personal disgrace and shame). Men love flattery and accept it even if done in a manner that seems to seem humble. Men are told that they have endowments of such a high order which often leads to excessively credulity ( a willingness to believe anything). This has led men to err egregiously and have such a self–love which blinds them and are so persuaded that they do not have any matter in them that is deserving of hatred. Independence is the cry of people, independent, or entitled, woman want independence, men want independence and all believe they are entitled to things which are not an entitlement. It is taught in the schools that man is perfectly sufficient in themselves and can have a good and happy life. Some do and some are far from such a life whether they cause it to be so or not; it is not guaranteed as any sentient individual will testify. “Oh!” You say, in modesty and do believe in God, this may be true but for many this does not arrogate every thing to God for they arrogate some things to their own mind, their will and make a division between what is secular and what is religious. This is only to show that man does not assign to God, rather they boast in themselves. Man loves to have their ears tickled: : For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables”(2Timothy 4:3–4). When man hears a good sermon, or discourse they follow after it as though it is true without examination, they just accept it as true especially when they are flattered by such a sermon or discourse. There is a self–pride that wells up, a feeling that God must love me because I really am good and do many good things. If not said openly then it can be found in the heart of that person. If a person becomes so favored, as though all he says is absolute truth, and somehow that person’s excellence is extolled, that he has a excellent human nature, man gives applause if not allegiance. Man may receive and be extolled in some excellence but all that is being done with that person or yourself is you fall into this category, (You know if you do by self–examination and using Scripture as you template), is to give excellence that leads to man resting in himself. Man then is fascinated by such as it seems to be so sweet, acceptable, at least on the face, but all that is being done is making man to be deluded in his thinking, and when it comes to allowing this self belief in man as being so good that God will accept him, and does not lead to self–examination by being scrutinized by Scripture is leading man to Gehenna, or for the elect to a life that is not honoring God who gave them faith to believe and act upon that belief into a life that must be accounted for at the throne of God on judgment day.

            Let me ask this: what does it avail a man to proceed in such self–confidence? What good does come from such a life that does not deliberate the things of God? What good does come from our own attempt to resolve things outside of the template of Scripture? Does not all this examination that springs from self nothing more that a deficient life, destitute of virtue  and of sound intelligence? Continue to persist ins such a life leads a person headlong into self destruction, and they go being confident in their own desire to be independent, to be self–willed, and have confidence in their own powers. Take another course! Take head of those who teach truth from God’s word, not some allegorical approach to Scripture, not some good ear tickling words that lead to a self piety that is not of God rather is due to those who seem so eloquent, so excellent, so good in their nature that we leave all to follow them without examining what they teach and say, to tacitly be a Christian. All this does is to lead a person into a most pernicious ignorance.

            You might wonder how does all this pertain to the subject of original sin? Keep reading the next blogs and the answer will be apparent.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

            Who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep His commandments,

            Who seek Him with the whole heart!

                                                Psalm 119:1–2

May the Grace Of God be with you

Richard L. Crumb