Self

But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:31

People love to pay very close attention to what other people have or are doing. Many are able to describe a celebrity or even a neighbor or friend in great detail, with all of their likes, dislikes, good qualities and bad qualities.

As they are able to do this, very few will take that close of a look at their own lives. Taking time to closely examine their own lives, blinds them to their own faults and where they need to grow or change.

Paul talks about eating and drinking the communion. He tells the people that they should examine themselves very closely prior to eating it, so that they do not come under God’s judgment.

It is easy for someone to see faults in other people, because their eyes are looking outward, not inward. This is a common practice of many inside the church. God does not want His people to watch others, because each person is their own person before God.

Every believer must be willing to stand before God on his own. In order to do this, each believer must be willing to examine his own life as to whether it is in line with God’s commands or not.

Many people will claim belief in Jesus, take the communion, all while at the same time living in sin on purpose. Living in this way brings down the judgment of God upon their lives. This can be found in sickness or death, because God is trying to get ahold of their attention.

While a believer is claiming to believe in Jesus, he must be willing to examine himself closely to see if he truly does believe in and follow Jesus, and make changes as needed.

If you consider yourself a believer, take a moment to examine your life closely. Take into consideration your thoughts, words, and actions. Do all of these line up with God’s word and commands?

Most likely you have some areas to work on. Instead of ignoring these areas and living with them, ask God to help you to change. Repent and change to be more like Jesus.

As you focus on becoming more like Jesus, you allow God to remove the judgments against you. Have you examined your life today?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will examine your life to see if you are living for God; that you will allow God to reveal faults in your life; that you will repent and follow God more; and that God will not find reason to judge you.

So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12

People always desire the best of everything. They want the things that everyone can see and that make them look good. Things that cannot be seen are often ignored or not desired, since it does not build the individual up himself.

Most often this desire is based on selfish pride. Very few actually desire to help someone else out more than themselves.

Paul had just listed some gifts of speaking in tongues and the interpretation of it in the church. Tongues can be good, but he wants the people to seek gifts to build the church up.

The whole part of man’s fall from God was one of selfishness and trying to build one’s self up. The whole work on Jesus dying upon the cross was one of non-selfishness. It was all about helping or building others up.

After Jesus left the earth, He sent His Holy Spirit to build and guide His followers in doing His work upon the earth. The Holy Spirit works in supernatural ways, giving spiritual gifts to guide His church.

Many believers want the gift of tongues, thinking that it is something amazing. While it can be amazing, it only builds self up and does nothing for others. The real help is found in the translation of the tongues.

God uses the interpretation of tongues to build His church up. God uses spoken words that the local people can understand to build them up, not just tongues that edifies or build’s up the individual.

Every believer should be seeking the greatest joy in being a witness and building others in the church up in Christ Jesus. In order to do that, he must seek the gifts God has given that others can tangibly see God’s hand working in their lives.

God is willing to use you in many different ways. He is willing to give you gifts of the Holy Spirit to help you in the work He has for you to do. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you in the gifts He has for you.

Seek those gifts that will help build the church up first and foremost. As you build the church up, God will build you up and meet all of your needs.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit; that you will use the gifts God has for you; that you seek to build others up before yourself; and that God will remove selfish pride in your life.