But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 

                                                                           1 Corinthians 11:31 

Today’s passage is a powerful reminder that when we accurately assess our lives and identify where we stand spiritually, we can move forward assured of our standing with God and with others. Paul says, “If we judge ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.” But often we find ourselves neglecting this fundamental, spiritual duty. Knowing what it is that we do well and recognizing the things that need to be changed is a valuable exercise and never a waste of our time. So here are three things that everyone needs to judge about themselves, doing so rightly and accurately. 

1. Taking Time To Understand Our Need For A Savior 

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

                                                                                                                    James 2:10-11 

It is not difficult to find someone who is under the impression that God looks at humanity as being either “good” or “bad.” In other words, these people believe that living a better life than someone else qualifies them for God’s approval. These people usually compare themselves with others such as a career criminal, a fascist dictator, or a terrorist. They cannot believe that God would view them the same way in which He views those kinds of people.

But James reminds us that if we have failed at keeping God’s law even one time (and we all have), that we are guilty of breaking the entire thing. That means that everyone who is not perfect (which is everyone) is equality guilty before God and in need of a Savior. We might look at someone who has committed adultery and boast that we have not done the same. Or perhaps we might consider a murderer, again elevating ourselves for not having committed the same. But whether or not those are our specific sins, all of mankind is guilty before God and the only solution to that problem is trusting in the Person of Jesus Christ. Our priority should be judging and recognizing our need for a Savior. 

2. Taking Time To See That We Belong To The Savior

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. 

                                                                                                     2 Corinthians 13:5-6 

Once we have rightly assessed our need for a Savior, we need to make sure that we do belong to Him. Although mankind has found seemingly endless ways of complicating the gospel, scripture reinforces its simplicity and power. Consider the following: 

…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation…for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

                                                                                                         Romans 10:9-10, 13 

Public confession of Jesus and trusting ourselves to Him and the work that He did on the cross on our behalf is at the core of salvation. Our trusting in Him brings about righteousness (right standing with God) and our confession of Him brings about salvation (Matthew 10:32). Paul’s language is declarative. If we trust in Jesus and confess Him, we will be saved. He goes on to point out that this salvation is for whoever calls on the name of the Lord. We can be saved in a moment as we admit our sin, recognize our need for God, and ask Him to save us on the basis of faith.

As Christians, we should test ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith.” This is not an admonition to check and see if we have enough “good works” rather it is a reminder that we are to see if we are in the faith. We must be fully trusting in His provision for salvation. We recognize that we are in the faith by knowing that he lives within us. The very presence of God is in the life of every believer and it is the presence of God that allows us to rightly assess our standing in Him. 

3. Taking Time To Set Our Priorities Around The Savior 

…and He (Jesus) died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

                                                                                                            2 Corinthians 5:15 

Lastly, after judging our need for Jesus and assessing our standing in Him, we should judge whether or not we are living for Him. As believers, we are not just saved for eternity, we are transformed for the here and now. Our lives are to be in service for the kingdom of God. Christians no longer live for themselves rather they die to this life so that they can live victoriously (Luke 9:24). There is nothing more powerful than a life fully yielded to the Spirit of God. And it is this kind of life that demonstrates that we truly belong to Jesus Christ and are a part of His kingdom.

Have you taken time lately to examine yourself and your spiritual condition? What needs to be changed? Why not ask God to equip you to make that change today!