I found this on the internet and edited it. It comes from an old tradition based on the Oxford group. I would urge people to seek out on the internet sources on the Four Absolutes Inventory.
www.fatherhugs.com/.../a_four_absolutes_inventory.doc
A FOUR ABSOLUTES INVENTORY
[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
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[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
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When doing this inventory, look at your thoughts, words and deeds as if they are being displayed on a screen for all to see. Then ask yourself, "How would they be generally viewed?"
We will never reach any "absolutes" until we see the Lord Jesus. Also, we should know that any progress we make is only because of the grace of God working in us through the gospel and the Holy Spirit. All our sin we are responsible for and our virtue is the gift of God for which the Lord gets the glory.
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ABSOLUTE HONESTY
The real virtue in honesty lies in the persistent dedicated striving for it both with ourselves and with others, regulated with common sense and kindliness. There is no relaxed "twilight zone", it's either full speed ahead constantly or it's not honesty we seek. And the unrelenting pursuit of truth will set you free, even if you don't quite catch up to it. We need not choose or pursue falsity. All we need is to relax our pursuit of truth, and falsity will find us. Honesty is not a policy. It has to be a constant conscious state of mind.
It is not easy to be absolutely honest with ourselves because of what is called the tendency to rationalization. We set our minds to work not upon the facts as they are, but upon the business of inventing reasons for our courses of conduct. The ego plays tricks on us. We are self-deceived. It is a test of a person's character. And yet how easy it is to lie - even for spiritual people. The willingness to twist a meaning to gain a point, to misquote if the misquotation gains an end, exaggerations to make impressions, a lack of complete truth and misrepresentations in presenting goods for sale. What is at the basis of this looseness with the truth? Is it not often in the fact that we think a lie is sometimes justifiable? Lies are apart from God's Will. If lies are still there, no matter how spiritual we may be, we are still in the old self-defeating life and lower nature.
Please ask yourself, "Is it true or is it false? Are there any conditions under which I will or do tell a lie? Can I be depended on to tell the truth - no matter the cost? Can I be absolutely trusted in money matters? In my work? With other people's reputations? Are there any areas of my life (currently or when thinking about something that's happened in the past) where I'm NOT dealing with reality or the truth?" How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE UNSELFISHNESS
We must give of ourselves to others in order to maintain our own spiritual growth. It is the sacrifice of ourselves and our own interests to other people's interests without thought of reward. This is called altruism. To be willing wherever possible to help others who need our help, expecting nothing in return.
Please ask yourself, "What am I living for - myself, my own position, money, place, power? Or are my powers at the disposal of another's need? At the disposal of our Creator's Work?" This test comes to the root of the matter. In the final analysis, what controls my actions - self-interest or God-interest? In the depths of my spirit, who gives the final word? Am I self-directed or God-directed?
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE LOVE
In giving love, we receive it. But the joy of receiving can never match the real thrill of giving. Love is a spiritually poor man's beginning toward God. Love is "giving of yourself" and unless we do, our spiritual progress will be lost. When love is offered, our God in Christ Jesus is there. The will to love is God's Will.
Love is NOT only a feeling, it is a DECISION based on the
life story" that we tell ourselves. Real love is not just a feeling of pleasure but a passion for serving the one loved.
life story" that we tell ourselves. Real love is not just a feeling of pleasure but a passion for serving the one loved.
Consider these definitions: "Love is the will to extend ourselves for the purpose of nurturing our own or another's spiritual growth," or "Love is the active concern for the life and the growth of that which we love."
The Oxford Group defined love thus: "Love endures long and is patient and kind, love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, it does not boast and it is not proud. It does not act unbecomingly, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything without weakening. Love never fails, never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end." (1 Corinthians 13)
Please ask yourself, "Is my love based on faith or fear? Am I easily offended or am I loving? Do I lose my temper? Am I quick to sense slights? Or am I taking the attitude of love which refuses to be offended?" Bad tempered, touchy and quarrelsome spiritual people do as much to hold back our Creator's Work as liars and thieves.
The unexamined life is rarely lived well.
The
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
ABSOLUTE PURITY
Our problem here is the unrelenting desire to do that which is right. It is flawless quality. Knowing what is right means little until we DO what is right. Were we to contemplate the peace and contentment that a pure conscience would bring to us, and the joy and help that it would bring to others, we would be more determined about our spiritual progress. Giving our all in its constant pursuit will make us free even though we never quite perfect it.
The purity of mind, of the body and of purpose. True wisdom is thinking with the end in mind; it's the perfect combination of knowledge and love. A clean mind in a clean body that embraces clean conduct in business, in work and play, our use of our possessions, our attitudes toward relations with those we're sexually attracted to, friends and acquaintances, as well as in my habits. Purity means we do not manipulate, or seduce, or pre-program, or project hidden agenda's onto anyone or anything.
Please ask yourself, "Is it right or is it wrong? Are my motives pure in all of my affairs? Am I entertaining sexual lusts in acts or in thought?" We may not be in the gutter but is the gutter in us?
How have I fallen short in thought, word and deed? Please be specific.
[1Jo 1:8-10 NASB] 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
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