Have You Had a Checkup Lately?

Most is not all of us have heard the phrase “I need a check-up’.  We understand by the statement that we are going to a doctor to make sure everything is physically well with us.  We do so, so that if anything is found we hopefully can correct or treat the problem before it becomes a life threatening problem or one that can physically handicap our physical health.  Physical check-ups are important.  Many potential problems have been avoided by undergoing these check-ups.  However, the examination will do us little good unless we heed the doctor’s findings and advice and instructions.  

While physical check-ups are important and good.  This article is not about that kind of check-up.  This article is rather concerned with a check-up from the neck up thus one’s attitude and the way one thinks which controls the way one acts.  Paul in addressing the Corinthians in his second epistle admonished “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.  Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  The word examine means to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:  KJV – assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er) try.  One should examine, test, try, scrutinize himself to make sure that he is spiritually healthy.  If one discovers that he or she has a spiritual problem that could be a matter or life or death or that is spiritually handicapping, one should go to the great physician and follow his instructions for his spiritual healing.  

Have we done a check-up from the neck up regarding our attitude about our worship?  Worship is important to God.  Jesus said “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).  Jesus himself had the custom of worshipping Luke 4:16.  The early church was steadfast in worship (Acts 2:42, 20:7).  There were those in the first century, like there are today who place little if any importance on worship (Hebrews 10:25).  One should have a check-up from the neck up regarding one’s attitude about worship.  

Has there been a check-up from the neck up regarding the encouragement we give to others?  Christians are to be an encouraging people.  They are to provoke one-another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).  Christians should encourage one-another daily (Hebrews 3:13).  They should encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).   Christians should not be a discouragement to one another but an encouragement.  They are not to be a Diotrephes (3 John 9-11) but a Barnabas (Acts 4:36).  

Have we had a check-up from the neck up regarding our love for God?  Love is not just an expression; it is an action.  “If you love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15).  People sing how I love Jesus but live as though they despise him.  What one does is proof positive of one’s love not what they sing or say “He hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” (John 4:21-24). 

People need to have a check-up from the neck up in relation to their involvement in the Lord’s work.  Do people really believe that simply attending one or two services a week constitutes faithfulness?  Christians are created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).  They are to show themselves a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7).  They are to always abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).  How involved are you in the Lord’s work?  What about helping carry out the great commission Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16?  How involved are you in helping provide for the needed (Acts 2:44, 45; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5)?  How devoted are you in helping encourage and comfort those who have lost loved ones and are deeply grieving over that loss (John 11)?  What about restoring the erring Galatians 6:1 and encouraging the discouraged?  

How long has it been since we had a check-up from the neck up regarding our need for repentance and forgiveness?  Christians are not perfect; they too struggle with sin.  The Apostle John makes this fact perfectly clear, “If we say that we have not sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  An if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 1:8 – 2:2).  Sin is not forgiven based on neglect, forgetfulness but on repentance.  Simon was told to “repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).  How long has it been since a careful and complete look within was made?  

It is good to make sure we stay healthy physically, but it is more important we make sure we are healthy spiritually.  This begins in the mind, there must be a careful, complete and honest check-up from the neck up for one to really know the results of his spiritual health. 

Bill Cantrell

January 12, 2020