2 Corinthians 13:5-6 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.”
There were those in Corinth who questioned Paul’s apostleship and the inspiration of his words and authority. They pointed out his weakness in body and speech. But they couldn't question the power of his words and the results of his ministry.
In this passage, Paul turns on his accusers and puts them to the Biblical test. It was a grueling examination, as one author put it. Emphatically he put his listeners under God’s magnifying glass. “Examine yourselves:" Are you in the faith? The method of testing to use: Prove yourselves. Do you really belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the household of faith? Hard questions, but necessary ones. Not just for the men of Corinth, but for everyone who names the name of Christ.
The question before us is in the present imperative tense meaning that examining oneself should be a repeated action--keep examining and "proving" yourself. This is not an act of doubting your faith, it is a matter of insuring your faith is real. Far too many good hearted, well meaning individuals are depending on living a good law-abiding life style and a belief in God and Christ without a true Biblical relationship with Jesus to get them to heaven. But without a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are not truly born into the family of God.
Biblical self examination confirms to one’s heart and soul that they are born again. The Bible says “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13. In short, Scripture tells us how we can know with absolutely certainty that we have eternal life. No need to wallow in doubt. If our salvation matches what the Word of God says, then we can know for sure. Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to enter heaven one had to be "born again," or else "he cannot see the kingdom of God. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.“
What does being "born again" entail? One, a recognition that in the eyes of God you and I are born sinners. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23. Being "born again," or true "Salvation," also requires repentance on our part--a turning away from our sin to God by faith.
“Repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” Hebrews 6:1.”
"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.
The basis of our salvation is faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead granted to us by the grace of God the Father.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
If you are trusting in anything else for your salvation you need to re-examine your faith.
2 Corinthians 13:6 “But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.”
