Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in the Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives? Could it be that you’re failing the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5 GW
God will certainly bring everyone into judgement one day. The enemy of your soul and his agents, and the believers as well; both the prey and those who shall withstand the test. One of the agents of the devil are the false prophets. These ones also shall be brought into judgement especially for the lives that they misled.
However, everyone that falls prey to the enemy will likewise be held responsible for their sins. The ‘watchman’ would be held accountable, and the sinner would not be exempted from due punishment.
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’
Ezekiel 33:6 NIV
Therefore, every believer must evaluate their lives in the light of God’s word. Believers must not use any man as a standard for maintaining right standing before God, but we must look unto Jesus who is the author, and the finisher of our faith.
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check-ups. You need first-hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.
2 Corinthians 13:5 MSG
If false prophets shall mislead people, why must it be you? And why must you be included among those whom the devil will devour? Why must you waste your destiny on false doctrines? You sure don’t want to waste the inestimable price that Jesus paid for your redemption on the cross at Calvary. See to it then that you do your regular ‘faith check-ups’. You need first-hand assurance, not a costly assumption that all is well when nothing is well.
