As we approach the solemn commemoration of our Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice, we must heed serious cautions in examining ourselves. First, ignoring or taking lightly the admonition to self-examine before Passover can bring physical and spiritual hazards, detrimentally impacting our health and well-being in this life and ultimately our salvation if we persist in neglectful, self-destructive behavior. Unreflective preparation will lead to bitter consequences. Second, we must not be foolishly presumptuous by attempting self-examination through our own power. Our carnal minds, hostile to God, cannot submit to His law, and our hearts are deceitful and sick beyond our understanding. Without a prayerful dialogue with our Creator, self-examination becomes a futile exercise, leading to either despair or smug self-assurance when comparing ourselves to others. Only God can illuminate the darkness of our thoughts and motives, revealing spiritual blind spots we cannot see. Third, we must not confuse discouragement, frustration, or worldly sorrow with godly sorrow prompted by the conviction of God's Holy Spirit steering us to repentance. Worldly sorrow can spiral into regret and hopelessness, while godly sorrow leads to true change. Fourth, our self-examination must not be too general; it should focus on specific behaviors. We are mandated to formulate detailed petitions, asking our Creator to point out particular actions that harm our relationship with Him and our brethren. By pinpointing specific failings—times, places, and actions—we can address them concretely. As we examine ourselves, we must also compare our fledgling spiritual fruit to the mature fruit demonstrated by our Savior Jesus Christ, recognizing areas of growth and persistent weaknesses. In this pre-Passover period, let us soberly reflect on whether we have used the spiritual gifts God has given us to edify and nourish others, giving comfort and strength. Taking the bread and wine to renew our covenant, we must approach this examination with care, realizing the serious consequences of unworthy participation, the futility of relying on our own resources, the danger of worldly sorrow, and the necessity of specificity in addressing our shortcomings.

As we approach Passover, we must be vigilant in examining ourselves to ensure we are not limiting the Holy One of Israel. We are called to reflect on the past year, considering how much we have truly appropriated and applied from attending Sabbath services and reading the Scriptures. Are we enjoying all that God has freely offered, or are we in some way restricting His work in us? We must avoid self-preoccupation, becoming so absorbed in our own sins that we lose sight of the true purpose of Passover, which centers on Jesus Christ. While we must evaluate our lives, we cannot turn inward with negativity and discouragement, attempting to overcome every fault at once, for this often leads to failure. In examining ourselves, we must first understand the standards by which to judge our actions. These standards are clearly set forth in the Bible, with Jesus Christ as the ultimate example, having lived and died for us. The Scriptures, along with the history of the church and the examples of faithful heroes, provide a pattern for us to follow. We are urged to test ourselves, as Paul instructed the Corinthians, to examine whether we are in the faith and to prove ourselves. This self-examination, especially in the pre-Passover time, requires humility and submission to God, ensuring we conform to the pattern of Christ rather than limiting Him in our minds. We must also consider specific characteristics of a faithful Christian in our self-examination. First, we should have assurance of salvation, trusting in God's forgiveness and love, knowing that doubting this hinders our relationship with Him. Second, we are meant to rejoice always, even in tribulation, reflecting a hope in future glory and showing loyalty to our Savior. Third, we must delight in God and His commandments, recognizing that keeping them brings happiness and peace, unlike the ancient Israelites who grumbled and limited Him by envying other nations. Fourth, we should enjoy the peace of God, which guards our hearts and minds, trusting that all things work together for good, rather than setting boundaries on what we believe He can do. Finally, we must rely on Christ to strengthen us, learning contentment and facing trials with faith, knowing He provides the power to endure and overcome. By examining ourselves in light of these principles, we guard against limiting God, ensuring we do not rob ourselves of His abundant blessings through distrust or self-will. We are called to live His way of life, to submit humbly, and to trust in His power and love, so that we may fully experience the potential He has set before us.

As we approach the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the importance of self-examination becomes paramount, especially in preparation for Passover. We are called to examine ourselves before partaking of the bread and the cup, ensuring we do so in a manner worthy of Him. This examination is not a mere glance but a deep, thorough process of testing, discerning, and proving our spiritual state. We must scrutinize, investigate, and correct ourselves, putting ourselves on trial to judge our actions and intentions. If we judge ourselves rightly, we avoid His judgment, for He desires that we govern ourselves by His Word with humility and concern for others. We are exhorted to test whether we are in the faith, to prove ourselves, and to see if His image is reflected in our behavior. Self-examination is a necessary and commanded duty that requires diligence and brutal honesty. Despite the challenges posed by our human nature, which often deceives us into self-flattery, He equips us to see ourselves as we truly are and to make proper judgments. Through this process, we must humble ourselves and judge ourselves to worthily partake of the Passover, ensuring we do not fall under judgment. Let us commit to this ongoing practice of self-examination, allowing it to shape our lives as we strive to align with His will.