As we approach the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are reminded to examine ourselves, especially in preparation for Passover. God instructs us to perform physical exercises like de-leavening our homes to learn how to worship Him worthily, but the spiritual lessons hold greater importance. We must not merely go through the motions. Paul, in I Corinthians 11:28, urges us to examine ourselves before partaking of the Passover symbols, ensuring we do so in a manner worthy of Christ. This self-examination should not be a fleeting glance but a thorough, ongoing process of testing, discerning, and proving ourselves, as the Greek word dokimazo implies. In I Corinthians 11:31-32, Paul emphasizes that if we judge ourselves, we will not be judged by God. He encourages us to put ourselves on trial, interrogate our actions, and correct our ways, for God prefers not to send trials to get our attention but will do so out of love if necessary. God seeks humble people who govern themselves by His Word with concern and respect for others, freeing them from judgment. In II Corinthians 13:5-6, Paul further exhorts us to test whether we are in the faith, proving ourselves by examining our fruit and detecting the image of God in our behavior. If we fail to see this, we risk being counterfeits, subject to God's judgment. Self-examination is a commanded duty that demands diligence and brutal honesty. God equips us to see ourselves as we truly are and make proper judgments, though human nature often deceives us into thinking well of ourselves, concealing our true state. We must overcome this carnal tendency to lie to ourselves and face the reality of our condition. Through honest scrutiny, we humble ourselves and judge ourselves, ensuring we worthily partake of the Passover and avoid falling under judgment.

From time to time, it is desirable to examine ourselves to ensure we align with God's mind and will. We must check ourselves to walk worthy of our calling, especially as the spring festivals approach. Paul advises that we test and prove our own work, seeking God's help to reveal the inner secrets of our hearts through His Spirit. If we sincerely ask Almighty God to make us understand the depths of our beings, He is faithful to do it. Our responsibility is then to repent fully of what God makes plain to us. This process requires effort, sometimes painful, to assure our entrance into God's Kingdom. We must also recognize and acknowledge the stony parts still within us, repenting before God with our whole hearts. As God's children, we are special, but only because He dwells in us by His Spirit. We should consider what kind of home we provide for the Sovereign God and His glorified Son, desiring to give Him nothing unworthy of His presence. This desire should encompass our physical health to our most secret thoughts. We all fall short, but Paul exhorts us to cleanse ourselves, continually maturing in holiness out of deep reverence for Him who dwells in us. Being disqualified or rejected means being unfit or unworthy of His presence, cut off from God, which is the worst possible outcome for a Christian's life. Regular self-examination is a proven way to ensure this does not happen to us. God intends for us to discover the reality of our nature, measuring annually the extent to which we have overcome the evil within us and the sincerity of our commitment to our relationship with Him. We must prepare as mature Christians to rededicate ourselves to Him afresh and actively put sin out of our lives. If we sincerely ask God in faith, He will reveal our hidden faults to us. We should not be overly discouraged by what He shows, as it is human nature, grown within us for as long as we have lived. Rather than wallow in discouragement, we should channel our energies to eradicate its power over our lives. As long as we are in the flesh, we will sin, but we must continually repent daily and ask God for help in fighting our carnal nature. God has promised the overcoming if we do our part, and He will never leave nor forsake us, giving us the help we need. If we judge ourselves, we will not need to be judged by Christ, the righteous Judge, who prefers that we turn to righteousness on our own. Passover is our opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Almighty God and renew our dedication to putting on the new man.