Examine Yourselves

Do you practice self-examination? Do you often set aside a little time to “examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, proving your own selves?” Here are some questions to help you:

• Is your desire to keep the commandments as strong now as when you were first baptized?
• Is God really your chiefest joy?
• Do you pray regularly?
• Are your prayers fervent and sincere?
• Do you really hope the Lord will come soon?
• Honestly, do you prefer the present life to the one promised?
• Do you labour for the Kingdom of God as earnestly as you labour for your daily bread?
• Are you looking for the Lord, and do you love his appearing?
• Do you do your daily readings, thinking and meditating upon them throughout the day?
• Is the reading of the Word a delight to you?
• Are you trying to grow in the knowledge of Christ?
• Do you speak often one with another upon Divine things?
• Do you try to be meek and humble always?
• Do you sincerely want to live the kind of life the Truth enjoins upon you?
• Is your home ruled by the principles of the Truth?
• Is the Truth uppermost in your mind; are you able to witness for it before those with whom you come into contact?
• Can you be distinguished from the world?
• When trials come, do you complain or accept all as for your own good?
• Do you submit to evil for Christ’s sake, or do you try to retaliate?
• Can you love those who have done you wrong?
• Do you indulge in foolish talking?
• Are you sure to be at the Breaking of Bread as Christ has commanded you, or do you sometimes make excuses for absence?
• Do you “suffer” the word of exhortation and see if it applies to you, or do you resent it?
• The Truth’s work requires means to further it. Are you liberal, as a faithful steward of what God has given you, even to the denying of yourself?

A Caribbean Sister

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