2 Corinthians 13:5 — Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Self-examination should be a daily exercise for all Christians. Daily introspection will help determine if they are in the faith.
The apostle here says that the Corinthians should examine themselves, whether they are in the faith. Paul had this to say of himself: “But I keep control of my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
It is important for Christians to examine themselves concerning their spiritual condition. We should examine whether we be in the faith, because it is a life or death situation, and we can be easily deceived. We are therefore required to prove our own selves, to cast judgment on our own souls. We must be convinced and assured that Christ lives in us through the medium of His Spirit.
To profess Christianity while proving to be reprobate is most hypocritical. Either we are true Christians or we are great pretenders — and no man knows you better than you know yourself. The religion that will endure the trying times ahead must be tested and tried. Our walk with Christ will have to endure persecution, affliction and privation without complaining; God’s people will be subjected to long periods of disappointments and distresses for Christ’s sake. It will only take genuine faith — the faith of Christ — to endure and overcome all the vicissitudes of life. A reprobate will not endure; it will take serious self-sacrifice, a life of unceasing prayer and self-denial.
To be in Christ, and to have Christ live in us, is extraordinary — but it is the only way that we can prove to be true Christians (Romans 8:10).
Except ye be reprobates. To be reprobate means to be vile, unprincipled, corrupted and abominable — which makes our way reprehensible before God (Romans 1:28). The word “reprobate” means not approved, rejected: that which defiles and cannot enter the kingdom of God. There is no escape from the question — examine yourself: are you reprobate?
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