Jonathan Holmes

“Self-examination isn’t, therefore, a practice in itself, but an aspect of many different kinds of practices. The emphasis is to know yourself truly in light of who God is and what God is calling you to. This is why self-examination, without a proper notion of God and salvation, can be very dangerous. The goal is not to lead someone to depression, so that they are so overwhelmed by their sin that they cannot move. Rather, the goal is to turn and abide in Christ. Edwards provides some pastoral advice regarding this: “Draw up no dark conclusions against yourself. Don’t give yourself over when God has not given you over.”[28] The goal is not to show God that you know you are a sinner and then beat yourself up for it. Many attempt to make penance through examination, showing that they still try to save themselves rather than turning to the cross. Rather, the goal is to be who you are with the God who died for you in the midst of your sin. The goal is to grasp grace as you are rather than as you wish you were.”
― Kyle Strobel, Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards