Examine yourselves!
2 Corinthians 13:5-7(NIV) 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. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.In this passage, it is the second time that Paul asked that the Corinthians to examine themselves. The first time was in 1 Corinthians 11:28(ESV) Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.Believers are to examine their motives, their actions, and the current condition of their hearts to make sure they don’t bring God’s discipline on themselves.If the individuals were genuinely in the faith, then they would know that Jesus Christ lived inside them. His Holy Spirit would be at work within them, promoting sanctification and moral living. But if their lives showed no evidence of the Spirit’s activity, then Jesus Christ was not indwelling them. And if Christ was not in them, they failed the test.Paul also instructs us to examine our actions. Galatians 6:4-5(NKJV) But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.From this Scripture, we can see that we must examine our works. Psalm 139:23–24(ESV) Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!The Bible makes it clear that those who are genuinely saved are righteous and holy. They still sin but with decreasing frequency. A true Believer hates when he does sin and repents of it, he hungers and thirsts for what is right. He obeys God, loves others, and hates the evil world system. No one can be a Christian and continue living the way he/she did before coming to know Christ.I conclude with: Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. As Peter says in 2 Peter 1:10(NASB95) Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;