Year of Exposure Day 5: Examining ourselves now is much better than waiting for the judgment of God.

Year “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Apostle Paul had heard that some of the people coming together for the table of the Lord, were doing so without recognizing the sanctity of what they were doing. Apparently, they were just coming to eat. Paul warned them that consuming the elements of the Lord’s supper, without recognizing the body of Christ, had led to many of them being sick and some dying needlessly.

“That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death]. But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [by undergoing His correction] so that we will not be condemned [to eternal punishment] along with the world.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Paul then went on to explain that it’s much better for us to evaluate ourselves, taking stock of where our heart is, rather than waiting for judgment from God.

He then added that when God does bring discipline upon us for the error of our ways, He does so that we may correct it before facing the judgment the world will face.

Think of it, God’s discipline is actually a part of His great mercy. It is giving us a chance to repent and line up to His way of being and doing before a greater judgment occurs, whether in our lives now, or at the final judgment.

In our opening scripture the psalmist is expressing that he found no relief while trying to keep his sins covered. But when he acknowledged his sin, asking the Lord for forgiveness, he experienced the great relief of having passed from (a position of facing) judgment into life.

Indeed, Jesus explained how we can avoid the fiery judgment of God:

““I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a time is coming and is [here] now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself [and is self-existent], even so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself [and be self-existent]. And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is a Son of Man [sinless humanity, qualifying Him to sit in judgment over mankind]. Do not be surprised at this; for a time is coming when all those who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and they will come out—those who did good things [will come out] to a resurrection of [new] life, but those who did evil things [will come out] to a resurrection of judgment [that is, to be sentenced].”

‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬-‭29‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Friend, let us make examining ourselves, examining our hearts, an ongoing process, an ongoing dialogue between us and the Holy Spirit of God. And when we do experience discipline from the Lord, let us recognize that its purpose is to give us a chance to line up now before it’s too late.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!