Need Assurance? Test Yourself

The apostle Paul exhorts professing Christians “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 (be reprobates kjv)?” (II Cor. 13: 5)

The context has Paul defending himself against those who question his apostolic authority and he essentially says, in a piece of irony, perhaps even sarcasm, "You seek a test of my power. Apply a test to yourselves." 

Vincent's Word Studies says:

"Examine yourselves (ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε). Yourselves is emphatic. Instead of putting Christ to the test, test yourselves. Rev., try, is better than examine. Examination does not necessarily imply a practical test. It may be merely from curiosity. Trial implies a definite intent to ascertain their spiritual condition.

Assuming that you thus prove yourselves, does not this test show you that Christ is in you as the result of your faith in him?"

On "fail the test" or "reprobates" Vincent says:

"Reprobates (ἀδόκιμοι); An unfortunate translation. A reprobate is one abandoned to perdition. The word is kindred to the verb prove (δοκιμάζετε), and means disapproved on trial."

The Amplified Bible reads:

"Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?" 

Phillips Translation reads: 

"You should be looking at yourselves to make sure that you are really Christ's. It is yourselves that you should be testing, not me. You ought to know by this time that Christ is in you, unless you are not real Christians at all."

Wuest translates as:

"Be putting yourselves to the test whether you are in the Faith. Be putting yourselves to the test for the purpose of approving yourselves, and finding that you meet the specifications, put your approval upon yourselves. Or, do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are those who are disapproved?"

Christians need to pay attention to this statement of the apostle. Not all who profess to be in union with Christ, and therefore saved, are really attached to him. How can we know if we are? 

There are so many "shallow ground hearers" of the gospel. They are half hearted believers. They are "fair weather" Christians who "believe for awhile," but when persecution or trial comes for being Christian they fall away. They hastily made a profession without "counting the cost" and therefore do not last long. As the shallow ground produces plants with shallow roots so they therefore cannot endure the heat of the sun and so wilt and die, never bringing forth fruit. (Matt. 13; Luke 8; Mark 4)

If we do not hate sin, then we fail the test of being truly born again and a "partaker of the divine nature." (II Peter 1: 3-4) If we do not love righteousness and holiness, then we fail the test. If we do not regularly pray and study the word of God, then we fail the test. If we do not walk humbly with God, then we fail the test.

We cannot take our salvation for granted. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (I Cor. 10: 12) But, let us not stand in doubt either. You can pass the test. It begins with simple faith and a turning in repentance to the Lord. 

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble." (II Peter 1: 10)