A Spiritual Checkup – Part 1
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
The Psalmist prayed, ‘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). If you’re wise you’ll visit your doctor and get regular physical checkups. You’ll also go to God for regular spiritual checkups. In what areas? 1) Your salvation. ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Have you repented of your sin and placed your trust in Jesus to save you? Have you surrendered to Him and made Him Lord of your life? 2) Your devotional life. ‘I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day’ (Psalm 119:97). ‘Your Word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it’ (v. 140). Do you read and meditate on God’s Word regularly, hopefully each day? Are your personal devotions consistent and meaningful? Do you try to apply the principles of Scripture to each circumstance you’re in? 3) Your humility. God says: ‘…I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones’ (Isaiah 57:15). Are you quick to recognize and agree with God when you have sinned? Are you quick to admit to others when you are wrong? Can you rejoice at others’ successes, even when yours goes unnoticed? Do you esteem others as better than yourself? (Romans 12:10). Do you live with a sense of dependence upon God? None of us always does. That’s why God sent Jesus to be who we cannot be and do what we could not do. A spiritual checkup (the Law) reminds us of our need for our loving Savior. We are great sinners. But we have an even greater Savior. Trust in Him!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to give attention to my relationship with You, so that everything else can be seen clearly through Your eyes. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus! In Jesus’ Name, Amen