Self-Examination and Repentance

 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

A verse in strength and purity as an individual takes his burden to Christ in search of true repentance and confession. We as human beings with all our corruptness and weaknesses cannot in most instances identify that which is keeping us away from God. We therefore have this need to allow God to show us and guide us to that which is keeping us away from Him. Many a times we are also afraid to admit to ourselves those things which keeps us short of the glory of God. In claiming the promise of Psalm 139:23-24, God also protects us from our own pride in that He guides us not to claim our own Salvation, but rather Salvation through the intercession of Christ.

“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth” (Psalm 26:2-3).

 “These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 37).

 “After Christ’s ascension, the disciples were gathered together in one place to make humble supplication to God. And after ten days of heart searching and self-examination, the way was prepared for the Holy Spirit to enter the cleansed, consecrated soul temples. Every heart was filled with the Spirit, as though God desired to show His people that it was His prerogative to bless them with the choicest of heaven’s blessings” (Evangelism, p. 698).

 “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:12-15).

Leading from the Psalm 139:23-24, this prayer needs to be said. After God has guided us and revealed all that is impure within us, we need to ask HIM to help repair that which is broken. It has been shown through history as well as the history of our own lives that when we rely on our own strengths to repair that which is broken in our lives, we actually worsen it. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to create a new being within us and not only that, but also a contrite heart that should convict us every day to help guide us in Gods way. By trying to fix things ourselves we more often end up hurting others and even turn them away from God.

 Many times we evangelise to people and they really show an eagerness to want to learn more about the God and His plan for their Salvation. But for some or other reason they just never get to that point where they completely submit to God. And we actually become upset at them for not accepting the Word. This is usually the case in our families with close relatives and we usually ask the question “Can’t they see what God has done in my life?”

 “In the family if one member is lost to God every means should be used for his recovery. On the part of all the others let there be diligent, careful self-examination. Let the life-practice be investigated. See if there is not some mistake, some error in management, by which that soul is confirmed in impenitence” (Christ Object Lessons, p. 194).

 “Thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children” (Isaiah 49:25).

After this process of self-examination, a process that we need to go through on a daily basis, (as the old me needs to die daily) God leaves us with a wonderful promise. He promises that whatever tyrant that may be holding us captive He will release us. He promises that whatever burden may be pulling us down, He will pick it up and carry it for us. As He promises in:

·         Mat_11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

·         Mat_11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

And His promise is not only for us, but for our children also. For as we learn from Christ, so our children learn from us. And as for what we follow in Christ so our children will follow also.