Sabbath Thought – Examining Ourselves

We are at the end of another year on the Gregorian Calendar, and it is common for people to consider how the past year went, and what they might plan for in the coming year. While New Year’s celebrations are based on pagan ideas, there is value in examining ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28) in order to consider what we should stop doing, and what we should do better in order to more fully reflect God (Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 8:10).

How do we do that? What kind of planning should we have that doesn’t fall into the shallowness typical of New Year’s resolutions? An overriding concept to keep in mind is to look at spiritual processes and goals.

Our calling is not a calling to the physical things of this life, even though some of those physical things may impact our spiritual development. Our calling is to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) we should be living, thinking, and behaving like God. To that end then, here are a few things to consider:

• What do I need to let go of? We are called to come out of the world that has been shaped and influenced by Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2; Revelation 18:4), and this means we are to become something better than the “old man” (Ephesians 4:22). All too easily we still hold onto aspects of the “old man” that need to be let go.
• What is my reputation? Do I exhibit the attributes of God’s Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)? Do I reflect the characteristics of an “overseer” listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-15? Even if we are not ordained into the office of a deacon or an elder, we will be when Christ returns – are we practicing those things now to make them part of our character?
• What did I learn from my trials this past year (James 1:2-4)?
• Do I have more confidence and trust in God now than I had a year ago (Psalm 31:1, 71:1, 118:8-9)?
• Did I serve others with the right heart (Galatians 5:13)? Can I serve more or better?
• Do I have fervent love for God’s people (1 Peter 4:8)? Do I stir up love and good works in others (Hebrews 10:24)?
• What would I desire to do better in my calling in the coming year? What steps can I take to make those things a reality?
• As we examine ourselves, we can also recognize the good things we have done, and remind ourselves to continue in those things (Romans 12:2; Galatians 6:9).

While we can learn from our past, we are not to stay stuck in the things we didn’t do well. We are to press forward in our goal to be in God’s family (Philippians 3:14)!

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

27 December, 2025