In order to graduate high school I had to pass what was called an “exit exam.” It was a basic test of math, English, science, and social studies. My entire primary education—kindergarten through twelfth grade—was meant to prepare me to pass this test. And that test was designed in a way that it would be easy to pass for anyone that attended school and done the work.
The apostle Paul describes a test he hopes the Corinthians would be able to pass when he writes, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NASB).[1] Just a reminder about the context of this letter. 2 Corinthians is Paul’s most personal of all thirteen of his letters which we have in our Bible. As Paul has spent twelve chapters getting personal with the Corinthians, now it’s their turn to get personal and evaluate themselves. Notice he uses “yourselves” three times in this one verse.
One must ask, does this verse describe positional justification (a Christian’s salvation) or practical sanctification (a Christian’s growth)? I believe it is asking for proof of practical sanctification (which therefore proves that positional justification has already occurred). Practical sanctification occurs from the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts (Romans 8:9, 16), when we love others (1 John 3:14), practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:19 or 3:9), and when we are separated from the world (1 John 2:29; 3:9).
Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if Jesus is in them. Thus it causes them to reflect on Christ being in them and working through them in their daily walk with Him. It is a test meant to prove that they have placed their faith in Christ and as a result Christ lives in them.
Paul’s words here are not intended to cause us to doubt our salvation, but instead to assure us of the faith we have already placed in Him or help us recognize that we have been given the right answers for the test. Our Christian lives should be our “exit exam” and proof that we have passed the test.
[1] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.