If we would judge ourselves

1 Corinthians 11:31

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The eleventh chapter of first Corinthians gives to us the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. I do not believe there is a greater privilege on earth than to partake of the elements that depict the body and blood of our Lord. That is why we must examine ourselves. For if we do not so, and take of these elements in an unworthy manner, we are guilty of not discerning the Lord’s body. For His perfect body was broken for us, and His precious blood was shed on our behalf. We did nothing; He did everything. And by taking of these elements, we show the Lord’s death till He come. All this we do in remembrance of Him.

And as already started, we must examine ourselves first, the apostle tells us, in order that we may eat of these pictorial elements with a pure and clean conscience. No doubt, we are unworthy of this memorial, but we can do it in a worthy manner—with a somber, grateful, and dedicated heart. Our hearts ought to be sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Our minds ought to be cleansed, and our heart scrutinized before the Lord. For sin is a blot, a blotchy imperfection that mars our relationship with the Lord. That is why he said that we ought to judge ourselves. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. You and I can thank God that we will not be condemned with the world! We must therefore, of necessity, ask God to reveal and purge from us all impurities.

Now, we know that it is easy to look around and point with an accusing finger at all those about us who have visible flaws and imperfections. It is easy to see them! They seem glaringly obvious, and conspicuous to us. But we don’t seem to see our own imperfections as easily. We seem to have a sort of blindness toward ourselves. These blinders must be removed. We must stop looking at others. We must take an introspective look instead, searching for the things that are daily overlooked but ought to be removed from our lives. Let us judge ourselves freely! Without partiality and without hypocrisy let us thoroughly examine our lives. For then, and only then, will we not be judged of the Lord! He will forgive us, and forever take the sin away. Be quick to judge yourself and slow to judge others.

“Dear Lord, we know that it is easy to see the faults in others, but this day may we ignore them all. Help us to look inwardly, as that is what we are told to do here. Help us to judge ourselves, for then we won’t be judged. And as we consider your great sacrifice that you made for us, may we live and walk worthily, knowing that you are worthy of our best. And we shall praise you for these things. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”