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How do we go about to “examine yourselves” as stated in 2 Corinthians 13:5?
Paul’s statement came in the middle of a discussion about His own apostleship. In all likelihood, false apostles had crept in and were making the Corinthians doubt Paul’s authenticity. They were clamoring for him to prove himself in vs. 3. However, Paul said that they should be more concerned for themselves.
Paul was asking the Corinthians to test themselves regarding the “faith.” This was the doctrine of Christ. Were they true Christians? Did they really recognize that Jesus was dwelling in them and had brought them new life? Paul felt that they would easily declare this to be so. If the Corinthians had judged themselves true or genuine in the faith, how could they doubt the one who had brought them to the faith? A recognition of the evidence that Christ was in them should make them realize that Christ was in Paul also.
It is difficult for me to lay down hard and steadfast rules for “testing,” “examining,” or “proving” oneself. Obviously, the standard that we measure ourselves to is the same one that Paul encouraged the Corinthians to use. That standard was the word of God (at that time both written and oral). The evidence of a new life (Romans 6:4) is the bearing of fruit by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:1-17). In John 15, Jesus also gave the test of discipleship as loving one another.
Of course, sound doctrine must also play a vital part of being in “the faith.” Paul warned Timothy of this (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Testing or examining has several factors. One of the most important aspects I can encourage you to be is open-minded. So many of us shut our minds so that we will not consider anything different than what we were taught in our childhood. Some will not listen to the truth or falsehood. Whatever they believe at that moment or whatever they have believed all their life is what they believe now. To test or examine, we must above all be fair and just with ourselves and the scriptures.
After obedience to the gospel, at what point in the Christians' life does one become mature and no longer a babe in Christ?
This is a more difficult question. The answer to this question has much more subjectivity with each person built in to it. However, the book of Hebrews may shed some light on the correct answer. In chapters 5 and 6, the writer is shaming the Hebrews because they had not grown up in Christ. He told them that they should have been teachers by that point, but they needed more “milk.”
Hebrews 5:13-14 teaches that Christians who partake of only fundamental matters are without experience in deeper matters. For this reason they are weak or without power. But solid food is for the mature, because through long use and habit, they are able to discern between good and evil. This contrast between good and evil is talking about teaching. The one who is no longer a babe in Christ is the one who is able to make a good distinction between good and evil teaching.
First Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Paul affirms this by saying in Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”
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