01.30.06

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart. - Psalm 26:2.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - 2 Corinthians 13:5.

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. - Galatians 6:3-4.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. - James 3:13.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. - James 3:17-18.

Tomorrow night the President of the United States will give the annual State of the Union address to both houses of Congress and the American people. In this annual speech, the President will report on the status of the country and lay out a plan for the future, which usually includes legislative initiatives. The annual address is required by the constitution (Although no specific date or frequency is set.) which states: “The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient (Article II, Section 3).” Citizens of the United States likely have their own opinions as to the State of the Union, however, only the President is authorized to give the speech by the constitution.

If you were to give your own State of the Union address, not about the country, but about your own life - what would you say? What is the condition of your life? What kind of shape are you in spiritually? Are you bogged down in sin? Have you been winning spiritual victories? Perhaps the most important part of the speech would be about where you are going from this point. What are your plans? What is your vision? Has God given you any directions about the immediate future and beyond?

We have not been authorized by the constitution to give an annual State of the Union speech about our lives. However, we are authorized and commanded to conduct an examination of our lives by the Word of God. In this review of our lives, we should begin as the Psalmist does by asking God to examine our lives. In addition, we should as the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves,” “Test yourselves.”

After the inward examination by God and yourself has been completed, there is another examination, which should be done. Paul says, “...let each one examine his own work.” Are you faithfully serving the Lord in humility? Is your work furthering the Kingdom of God or has it hindered the Kingdom of God?

Once the examination of our lives and our work has been completed, we should consider where we are to go from here. What is ahead in our lives? What does God want from us at this point? How can we wisely sow righteousness around us? How can we further the Kingdom of God?

Are you ready to give your State of the Union address? God is always ready to listen and He may even have some helpful ideas and suggestions for you.