Spiritual Evaluation or Spiritual Check Up: Making Preparations for Eternity

By Hurley Shortt

In many states, an annual vehicle inspection is required to assure that a motor vehicle is road worthy and not a hazard to fellow motorist. From time to time, most people have a medical physical to detect if any diseases or problems are lurking in their bodies, thus giving them the opportunity to apply preventive measures if needed. But, when do we inspect the soul-that spiritual part of us that will live forever? This book reminds us of the need to conduct a "Spiritual Check-up" or a "Spiritual Evaluation" to ensure that we are ready to depart this life and stand before our Creator.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641912051

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Spiritual Evaluation or Spiritual Check Up

Making Preparations for Eternity

Dr. Hurley R. Shortt

ISBN 978-1-64191-204-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64191-838-1 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64191-205-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2018 by Dr. Hurley R. Shortt

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Any achievement we accomplish in life is ultimately the result of our walk with our wonderful LORD. Like the Psalmist, He brought me out of the miry clay. Jesus changed my life for the better. This book is dedicated to Jesus Christ for the inspiration He has given me throughout the years. Also, I dedicate this book to my lovely wife of fifty years, Bonnie. Our love for each other is greater today than it was on our wedding day.

Introduction

Soul Searching

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? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

—2 Corinthians 13:5–6, NIV

Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

—1 Corinthians 11:27–32, NIV

Prayer: Dear, LORD, help us understand the importance of our relationship with you and determine to grow in our walk with Christ.

Crowley was sentenced to the electric chair. When he arrived at the death house at Sing Sing, did he say, This is what I get for killing people? No, he said, This is what I get for defending myself.¹

The point of this story is this, two-gun Crowley didn’t blame himself for anything.

I have spent the best years of my life giving people the lighter pleasures, helping them have a good time, and all I get is abuse, the existence of a hunted man.

That’s Al Capone speaking. Yes, America’s erstwhile public enemy number one—the most sinister gang leader who ever shot up Chicago. Capone doesn’t condemn himself. He actually regards himself as a public benefactor—an unappreciated and misunderstood public benefactor.²

If the worst of criminals cannot see their own faults, what about those who are law-abiding citizens? Deception is a cruel enemy of the soul! It leaves a person contented with life, unaware of the impending danger. This reveals a strange truth of human nature and that is, it is difficult to see our own faults. Twice this truth is mentioned in Proverbs. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Prov. 14:12, NIV). This truth is listed again in Proverbs 16:25. This is a caution we must not ignore!

The subject of this book is a Spiritual Evaluation or a Spiritual Checkup. Whether you are a person embarking upon a serious search for answers to life’s perplexing questions or a seasoned believer in Christ, the information contained herein will assist you in your preparation for the eternal.

In these pages, it is my purpose to inform the reader of the need to conduct a soul search, the process involved, and the benefits achieved from such evaluation. This endeavor is often neglected at the cost of ignoring one of life’s greatest perils—a person’s eternal destiny. Through the suggestions provided herein, it is possible to turn this peril into a promise with far-reaching consequences that will return countless benefits.

This subject will not go away by simply ignoring it. Every person is headed for a destiny; an inevitable future that awaits each one of us. We have the opportunity to conduct a spiritual evaluation, and so direct these future events to our advantage. If left neglected, the future will arrive, to our surprise and detriment. We have a choice to make; either we make it or it will be made for us. Eternity beckons our response! We are summoned to a future judgment and our present reaction will determine the outcome of that tribunal, the judgment seat of Christ. The negligent are the losers; the diligent are the winners!

Let us now embark upon a journey that will guide our souls to the path of righteousness for which it was destined to travel. This is an exciting discovery that will enhance our present existence and make an investment with eternal rewards.

In this introduction, I will attempt to answer three of the oldest questions, when, how, and why? First, when should we conduct a Spiritual Checkup?

When

Human nature often lives in a state of slumber in relation to the spiritual. From time to time, we hear about the eternal; and through the deaths we experience, we become convinced that there is more to our existence than this life only. However, it is easy to continue on in life without realizing the awaiting eternity. So often something is needed to awaken our attention.

What is this something needed to awaken the slumbering spirit? I call these God moments. They often happen when we are facing some sort of trouble. A crisis, tragedy, accident, or sickness can awaken our thoughts to consider our state of spiritual existence. When things are going bad, we have a tendency to think about life and the issues associated with the spiritual.

I have noticed that when death strikes, the physical and the spiritual come closest together. Yesterday, the person was with us, but today they are gone. Where did they go? Will I see him/her again? Is there really an eternity? Is there a God? Is there life after death? What is the meaning of life? What is going to happen to me? These kinds of questions begin to surface during times of God Moments.

During times of sickness, we have a tendency to think about God and spiritual issues. I had a friend who entered my life when I was just a lad. He lived most of his life without considering his eternity. On his deathbed, his spirit was awakened to his mortality. At the eleventh hour of his life, he surrendered himself in obedience to the Master. Like the thief on the cross, he found salvation just in the nick of time.

If it takes something such as, tragedy, crisis, sickness or an accident to awaken us to the spiritual, we can be most thankful. In this case, our troubles have brought us to reality. If it is trouble that brings us to this point, then it is a good time to conduct a Spiritual Checkup.

But, in times of trouble, we are often distracted with the events of the moment, causing our attention to be divided. If it is crisis, we become worried. If it is tragedy, we might have feelings of guilt. If it is sickness or accident, we are often distracted with pain or delirious from medication.

So, it is not beneficial to wait for disaster to bring us to this point of evaluation. A Spiritual Checkup can be conducted when things are going good. We are not bombarded with the events that distract our attention and so we are able to think clearly. Today, now, is an excellent time to begin a Spiritual Checkup.

Suppose we start this journey to conduct a Spiritual Evaluation, where can we go to find information on the spiritual? There are many places in our towns that will assist us with medical information should we become sick in body. There are psychologists and psychiatrists who can help with mental and emotional concerns. But, is it wise to risk eternal issues with an unreliable source?

One common method of evaluating oneself spiritually is by comparison. Very often we set our eyes on someone we assume to be very spiritual and we erroneously justify ourselves by that person’s actions or deeds. But how reliable is the source of our comparison? This process is considered unwise in Scripture.

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. (2 Cor. 10:12, NIV)

It is unwise because there is no perfect person with which to make a reliable comparison; therefore, the results could be faulty. More will be explained about faulty comparisons in a later chapter.

Some people will evaluate themselves by the good deeds they do or by the bad things they do not do. Very often, people will say, I am a good person. Some time ago, I was speaking with a lady about her relationship with God; and she said to me, I am a good person; I do good things for people. I responded by stating, We do not get to heaven by doing good things. With a surprised look, she questioned, Oh? I went on to tell her that our salvation is based upon our relationship with Christ. Our justification with God is not based on the good things we do. Our good deeds are evidence of our justification not the cause of it.

How

Assuming we are open to a Spiritual Evaluation, where do we begin? How do we find true spiritual guidance in this life? First, we begin by consulting the Bible. It is the one book that tells us about spiritual things. It is the revelation of God to mankind. Future events, eternal life, right and wrong, and how mankind can be forgiven of sin are just a few of the great themes of life that the Bible explains.

It is the Bible that reveals to us the knowledge of sin and how God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven through the death of His own Son. Jesus Christ is God’s answer for human sin!

Secondly, God has provided a way for us to communicate with Him and that way is through prayer. We can find answers to our spiritual questions and concerns through reading and studying the Bible and speaking to God in prayer.

Third, once we become a born-again believer in Christ, we have the assistance of the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. In John 14–16, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit as a Counselor and a guide to those who love Him.

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. (John 14:15–16, NIV)

Through Bible reading and study, we can learn about the spiritual and what God expects from us. Then, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to apply what we have learned and remind us of the things Jesus has said.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26, NIV)

As we continue in our walk with God the Holy Spirit will serve as our guide to lead us into all truth. We have the additional promise that He will even show us things yet to come.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13, NIV)

Have you ever done something that is totally out of character? You walk away from the situation, and the Holy Spirit speaks to you and says, You should not have done that. If you really love the LORD, the Holy Spirit will bother you until you attempt to correct the situation or learn from your mistake.

Recently, while driving through a distant town, I cut in front of another motorist and he expressed his anger by sounding his horn several times. At first, it angered me, but then I realized that I was in the wrong. I thought I had more distance; however, his vehicle was closer to me than I realized. I pulled up to a traffic signal, and he pulled in behind me. I could see through the mirror that he was moving his lips in anger. I wish there had been some way I could have apologized for my actions. We are aware that road rage can be dangerous, and it would not have been safe for me to get out of my vehicle and walk back toward him. I later thought that I might have been able to approach him by waving my white handkerchief and then getting out of my vehicle to apologize. The signal turned green, and I was forced to proceed. But