Examine Yourself; 2 Corinthians 13:5 Imagine with me if you can a Church where there is no strife. Perfect peace abounds, and everyone thinks and says nothing but good things about everyone else. No one is talking behind the Pastor’s back, and the choir members not only sing in harmony but also live in harmony together. The Deacons and the Trustees work together in unity, and, believe it or not there is no gossip or nasty rumor being told about anyone. Unfortunately this type of peace and unity seems to be nonexistent within the Body of Christ today. One reason for it is this. We are spending far too much time examining each other instead of examining ourselves. The only way that the Church will improve is by each person who makes up the Body of Christ putting themselves under the microscope of God’s Word and carefully sifting through the bacteria that exist in their own lives. Instead of looking outward for the problems, each member of the Body of Christ must look inwardly, examining his or herself to see what changes they need to make. Matthew 7:3, tells us, “FIRST cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” 2 Corinthians 13:5, says, “ Examine yourself whether you be in the faith or not,” and Philippians 2:12, tells us to “work out your own soul salvation with fear and trembling.” Imagine everyone being so busy examining themselves, and working out their own soul salvation that they only have enough time left to win lost souls into the Kingdom of God and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. No time for gossip. No time for backbiting. No time for rumors. No time for confusion. No time for judging. No time for criticizing or condemning. No time for anything but doing the Lord’s work and making sure that I am right. Psalms 26:2 David said, “Examine me, oh Lord.” It is impossible for anyone to fix a problem until they realize the problem exist. The best way to know if there is a problem is through early and often self-examination. I have included a self-examination checklist, which you can use to help you in making the Body of Christ better by making yourself better through SELF-examination. It is easy to find fault with others, see how many faults of your own you can find and fix. Self Examination Check List Matthew 7:3, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” 1. II Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:12; How is my walk with God? 2. Matthew 5:28; How is my thought life? 3. Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Ephesians 6:1-3; Am I showing proper respect to my parents? 4. Ephesians 6:4; How am I treating my children? 5. Ephesians 6:5-8; How am I treating my employees/supervisor. 6. Ephesians 5:22-33; How am I treating my spouse, (husband or wife)? 7. John 13:34,35; Am I showing love to my brothers and sisters in Christ? 8. Matthew 5:43-48; How am I treating those who curse me and try to use me? 9. Matthew 7:1-2; Am I judging anyone? 10. Matthew 12:36,37; Proverbs 18:21, What words have been coming out of my mouth? 11. Matthew 18:23; Mark 11:25, 26; James 5:9, Am I holding any grudges? Is there any un-forgiveness in my heart? 12. If we have left out anything that you feel is important for you to examine in your life, please add it to your list. GOD BLESS YOU, E.I. Osborne, Jr.