“Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…” 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Investigation or examination, and judgment are happening today. Since the year 1844 God has been judging those who have ever taken upon themselves the name of Christ. A scrutinizing work is being done in heaven to determine who will be saved. Each of us has a case pending in the courts of heaven. No one is overlooked or exempt from this judgment.
In today’s earthly courts of justice, a mistake can be made, a fact may be omitted or distorted, a jury could be biased. Thus the result can be an unfair court trial, where an innocent man is convicted of a crime that he did not commit, or a guilty person set free. This will not happen when God does the final judging. His ways are righteous and perfect.
Just consider for a moment this truth: your whole life is to be reviewed before the entire universe! Everyone will know who you really are. Does that make you feel uncomfortable and afraid?
Thus before this court session finalizes its decisions, God’s people will have to critically examine their own lives. It means carefully considering their words, thoughts, motives, and behavior. If there is no examination of the heart, there will be no salvation. Solemn, isn’t it?
What will be discovered during the examination?
As a person honestly explores the inner chambers of his heart, he discovers flaws in his character. The apostle Paul says, “evil is present with me” (Romans 7:21), “0 wretched man that I am…” (Romans 7:24), and “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); also, “…for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Romans 7:15). The prophet Isaiah says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6.
Furthermore, as one probes deeper into the recesses of his heart, he finds that even many of his good actions were prompted by wrong motives. Perhaps he gave a large contribution to the church in order to be recognized and praised by his brothers and sisters in the faith. “Many acts which pass for good works, even deeds of benevolence, will, when closely investigated, be found to be prompted by wrong motives.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 512. It could be that some flattering words of commendation were spoken to another that were actually insincere. Or perhaps someone’s dress is an attempt to appear pious and better than others. Therefore, our motives need to be examined carefully to see if they are in harmony with God’s law –the transcript of His character of love.
Let us also examine our thoughts. Can we honestly say that most of our thoughts were Christ-centered rather than self-centered? Have our thoughts been about overcoming sin and gaining the victory through Christ? Have we had good and loving thoughts toward our brothers and sisters in the faith and even toward our enemies? Or did we have evil thoughts in the past year? Was I envious because a brother had a nicer house, a newer car, or other possessions, than I have? Or because he was a more gifted speaker, or whatever other reason? Dear sister, did you harbor any malicious thoughts toward your sister in the faith because she said some words that offended you? Dear brother, have you looked at a woman with impure thoughts and lustful desires? “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts….which defile a man.” Matthew 15:19, 20. Consider that every thought has something to do with the formation of character: “It is within the power of everyone to choose the topic that shall occupy the thoughts and shape the character.” Education, p. 127.
Besides our thoughts and motives, we must not overlook the words we speak, since “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36, 37.
In Revelation we read Christ’s promise: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12. In the judgment, profession is worthless. God looks at the deeds done out of love for Him.
How do you see yourself during this year? Do you say, “I’m a great sinner, guilty of breaking the law of God?” Or do you go on justifying yourself over and over again in order to appear good? I read in the January 4, 1988 issue of Newsweek magazine that Ivan Boesky made $115 million in two huge oil-company deals in 1984 and views it thus: “Greed is not a bad thing. Everybody should be a little greedy….You shouldn’t feel guilty.” This sin-justifying attitude is totally foreign to God’s eternal government based on love and sacrifice.
According to the Scriptures, greed is just one of the sinful attributes that needs to be overcome. Besides this destructive sin, other sins of the carnal man are taking people captive. As Satan captures and enslaves his prey, there seems to be no means of escape. Jeremiah the prophet writes, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. And in Romans 7:14 and 15 Apostle Paul expresses it this way: “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”
There you have it: the carnal human heart is incapable of overcoming sin. People all over are trying to change themselves in their own strength and all too often have to admit that they are in a losing battle against the powers of darkness.
What can cure the disease of sin? What methods can recreate man? Whatever earthly path or human means men may choose, they eventually come to a dead end. Why? Because man cannot renew himself. Please meditate for a moment on the following words from the hand of inspiration.
“Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart.” Steps to Christ, p. 18. Another inspired statement reads, “No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul.” Desire of Ages, p. 172.
That settles it: no one in his own power or through some ingenious method of his own devising can change his inner life. What is needed is outside help. We need divine help. We need a NEW HEART. “There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 97. “My Son, give me thine heart…” exclaims the Wise Man (Proverbs 23:26). When the heart is given to God, all the vices and ugliness of character will disappear. A miracle takes place!
How is the heart changed?
To explain this I would like to point your attention to the night interview Jesus had with Nicodemus.
Nicodemus was a good, morally upright, religious man. He was also a great theologian and prided himself on his good works. Nicodemus fasted often, prayed in the temple, and tithed all his income. Ellen White writes that “by nature of his birth as an Israelite he regarded himself as sure of a place in the kingdom of God. He felt that he needed no change.” Desire of Ages, p. 171.
Kindly and directly, Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, “You must be born again. He did not say, “It would be a good idea if you were to be born again” or, “If it seems all right to you, you might consider being born again!”
When He told him that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that He didn’t have to improve his moral standards or increase his educational credits—he needed to receive a new quality of life.
Dear reader, do you pride yourself on the fact that you belong to God’s remnant church and feel that you can secure your salvation through good and noble deeds? Regeneration through faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven. It is not a patched-up life. “The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature.” Desire of Ages, p. 172. Do you recall seeing an old house that was freshly painted on the outside? It may look good, but it is still an old house, no matter how many coats of paint it receives.
Once justification takes piece, the sinner needs to grow in grace and become more like Christ. This development of a Christ-like character takes a lifetime. There are no shortcuts in this work of sanctification. “We are to lay brick by brick, adding grace to grace, finding our weak points and correcting them in accordance with the directions given.” Child Guidance, p. 165. “Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-around character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 331.
What Leads Us to Jesus
Apostle Paul writes in Romans 2:4 “…that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” How wonderful! God’s goodness is revealed to the sinner. This goodness was demonstrated 2000 years ago on the cross of Calvary. His love for us is incomprehensible, immeasurable and perfect. Perhaps through the following story we can catch a glimpse of this love.
Years ago there was a certain school in the mountains of Virginia which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned.
A young, gray-eyed teacher applied, and the old director scanned him, then said, “Young feller, do you know what you are asking? An awful beatin’! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it.”
He replied, “I’ll risk it.”
Finally, he appeared for duty. One big fellow, Tom, whispered, “I won’t need any help, I can lick him myself.”
The teacher said, “Good morning boys, we have come to conduct school!” They yelled at the top of their voices. “Now, I want a good school, but confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard.”
One fellow yelled, “No stealin’” Another yelled, “On time.” Finally ten rules appeared.
“Now,” said the teacher, “a law is no good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?”
“Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on.”
“That is pretty severe, boys. Are you ready to stand by it?”
Another yell, and the teacher said, “School comes to order!”
In a day or so “Big Tom” found his lunch was stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located—a little hungry fellow about ten. The next morning the teacher announced, “We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule—ten stripes across the back! Jim, come up here!”
The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to the neck and pleaded, “Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don’t make me take my coat off!”
“Take that coat off; you helped make the rules!”
“Oh, teacher, don’t make me!” He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher behold! Lo, the lad had no shirt on, but strings for braces over his little bony body.
“How can I whip this child?” thought he. “But I must do something if I am to keep this school.” Everything was quiet as death. “How come you to be without a shirt, Jim?”
He replied: “My father died and mother is very poor. I have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing it today, and I wore my brother’s big coat to keep warm.”
The teacher, with rod in hand, hesitated. Just then “Big Tom” jumped to his feet and said, “Teacher, if you don’t object, I will take Jim’s licking for him.”
“Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?”
Off came Tom’s coat, and after five hard strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands, and thought “How can I finish this awful task?”
Then he heard the entire school sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around the neck. “Tom, I am awful hungry. Tom, I’ll love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I’ll love you forever!”
Sinner, friend, you have broken every rule and deserve eternal punishment! But Jesus Christ took your scourging for you, died in your stead, and now offers to clothe you with His garments of salvation. Will you not fall at His feet and tell Him you will love and follow Him forever?
When Should We Examine Our Hearts and Fall at the Feet of Jesus?
I firmly and strongly believe that this question is not hard to answer but hard to respond to. Do you remember the Bible text that reads, “Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7. The answer is TODAY. God urges and invites us to decide for Him today. Don’t put off for even one day your decision to follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
On October 8, 1871, Dwight L Moody was preaching to a large congregation in Chicago. It was the fifth of a series of six sermons on the life of Christ. He proposed to preach the last of the series on the following week. The courthouse bell was sounding an alarm of fire, but he paid no attention to it. The people were accustomed to hearing the fire bell, and it did not disturb them much when it sounded. He finished his sermon on “What Shall I Do with Jesus?” In his appeal Moody told that great audience that he would give them one week to decide what to do with Jesus. But that night most of Chicago was destroyed by fire and thousands of people died.
Twenty-two years later on the anniversary of the great fire, Moody had the opportunity to speak again in Chicago. As he looked at the congregation he said, “Twenty-two years ago I made the greatest mistake I ever committed. I gave an audience a week to decide what to do with Jesus. I’ve looked over this congregation and I do not see a single soul to whom I preached that night. I shall never meet those people again till they rise up against me in the judgment. I shall rather have my right hand cut off than to give another audience a week in which to decide what to do with Jesus.”
Dear Brother, dear Sister, dear Friend, as you look into your heart while the alarm bells of the great conflagration-to-come are sounding all around you, do not wait even one day to accept Jesus. Decide today to accept Him as your personal Savior. He is your substitute and your great defender in the judgment courts above.