NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION SEEK DAILY (NBC) Monday, September 4 SELF-EXAMINATION

RBT: Ezekiel 33-35

Memory Verse: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28, NIV

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 

11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

11:25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

11:27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 

11:28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 

11:29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 

11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 

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

Charles Spurgeon says: “Christian, examine your heart; question it, to see whether it has been growing in grace; question it, to see if it knows anything of vital godliness or not. Examine it: pass your heart through a stern examination as to what it does know and what it does not know, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit.” 

Apostle Paul counselled and charged the Corinthian church to conduct themselves well in the presence of the LORD while partaking of the communion. Anyone who drinks the cup and eats the bread in a manner that is not honouring the LORD is guilty of sin. Hence, the need to do self-examination. God expects that the spiritual meal should not be turned into a party feast because it is the LORD’S sinless blood and body. 

The principle of self-examination is applicable in all our dealings with the things pertaining to the LORD. God should not be taken for granted because we don't physically see Him. Believers are His representatives and He dwells in us. 

Therefore, daily self-examination to ensure that we are right with God is a necessity for acceptance before Him.

Insight: Honest self-examination prevents open condemnation.

Prayer: Dear Father, help me to daily examine myself in the light of Your Word and act accordingly.