“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12: 2NIV)

“Who can discern his own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be
blameless, innocent of great transgressions…Test me O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind…Search me, O God, and know my heart; test
me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me
and lead me in the way everlasting…Examine yourselves to see whether you
are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in
you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ? (Psalm 19:13-14; Psalm 26:2; Psalm
139:23-24; 2Corinthians 13:5 New International Version).
At the end of each year, the Bible believing, Bible practicing Christian
ought to take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness to all His promises. In
addition, one should freely express gratitude to the Father for His goodness
and love. At the same time, the Christian not only must reflect on his/her
own faithfulness to God, but also on the love extended to his/her fellow men.
The child of God must be able to ask God questions such as, “Father, how
is my standing before you?” Have I walked humbly with you on the path of
faith and holiness during this past year? Was I always reachable by you? Was
I teachable by your Holy Spirit? Was I useful to the Lord Jesus Christ as His
own disciple? Have I walked with a reverent spirit of gratitude before you?
To approach God’s throne and ask the LORD to evaluate one’s standing
requires a great deal of courage and confidence. King David wrote: “Though
you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will
find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin” (Psalm 17:3).

Too, it takes a deep conviction of the Scriptures. As a figure of speech, one
must eat God’s Word. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper
than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing
in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid
bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12-13).
So then, I must examine my personal relationship with God in the light of
His Word. Have I walked in the Word? For the Word of God is to be a lamp
to my feet and a light for my path (cf. Psalm119:105). Have I walked in the
truth? God’s Word is truth (cf. Jn. 17:17). Have I walked on the path of true holiness? For without holiness no one will see the Lord (cf. Heb. 12:14). In
addition, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would have not listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer” (Psalm 67:18).
Another question I must ask my conscience before God is: “Have I
walked in the Spirit?” The Holy Spirit guides me into all truth (cf. Jn16:13).
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (cf. Ro. 8:14).
Have I walked by faith? In other words, have I walked daily with Jesus,
the Lover of my soul? He is the author and perfecter of my faith (cf. He. 12:2).
But what is true faith? “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Have I walked in the light? To me, Jesus is the light of the world. Those
who follow Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (cf.
John 8:12). Since in His light I see light, have I let my light shine before all
men, or did I hide it under a bushel? Finally, have I walked in love daily?
“God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him” (1Jn 4:17).
My Master said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
So, as I abide in Christ’s love, I fulfill God’s law and I inherit His promises.
Without presenting myself humbly before my heavenly Father, for the
purpose of being examined by Him, I can receive neither His blessing nor
His new promise! But if my personal standing in Christ Jesus is pleasing to
the Father, then my relational standing before people is also pleasing to Him.
So, if I can honestly answer all the above questions, my conscience is
clear. Yet until I reach the portals of heaven, I must continue to walk worthy
of my calling (cf. Ephesians 4:1). I must continue to walk worthy of my Lord
Jesus (cf. Co.1:10). I must live a life worthy of God (cf. 1Thessalonians 2:12).
To persevere on the path of faith, I need to renew my vision and rekindle
the flame of my hope. So, my prayer is: “Sustain me according to your
promise and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed” (Ps. 119:116). That’s
why each New Year, I depend on the Holy Spirit to give me a new Promise.
As a result, my focus will never be on the circumstances surrounding me,
but rather on my risen Savior. For my comfort in my suffering is this: His
promise preserves my life. It anchors my soul and quietens my spirit. For, the
Lord holds my future; it is He who will lead me safely to the beautiful shore!
Dear reader, we don’t know what the future holds, but you can trust Jesus
who holds the future. Rest on His promises, for He who promised is faithful!

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