What does Paul advise the Corinthian believers to do?

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"Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith. Put yourselves to the test."

It is important that we understand whether or not we are in Christ. Our hope of the resurrection is based on our being in Christ.

. . . even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (I Thessalonians 4:14).

. . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first (I Thessalonians 4:16).

Our hope of protection in the day of trouble is based on our abiding in the Lord.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalms 91:1).

Doctrinal correctness is desirable but it is not an indication we are in Christ.

Church membership often is helpful but it is not an indication we are in Christ.

What does it mean to be in the faith?—to be in Christ?

To be in Christ means we are dwelling in His Person and will. Our personality and will are dwelling in His Personality and will.

Our behaviour is found in Him and He is found in our behaviour.

Our actions are in Him and He is in our actions. Our speech is in Him and He is in our speech. Our thinking is in Him and He is in our thinking. In every area and aspect of our person and behaviour Christ is found; and every area and aspect of our person and behaviour are found in Him.

A true saint thinks in Christ, speaks in Christ, acts in Christ.

When we behave wickedly we are not behaving in Christ. When we speak profanity or uncleanness we are not speaking in Christ. When our mind is dwelling on lust or covetousness we are not thinking in Christ. This is true whether or not we make a profession of Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (I John 2:4-6).

How does the Christian evaluate himself or herself?

How can we be certain we are abiding "in Christ" and He in us?

We are to judge our own behaviour, looking to see if it is true that each day we are showing forth to a greater extent the Life of the Lord Jesus, gaining victory over worldliness, sin, and self-will.

We are to judge our own speech, making certain we are speaking faith and glorifying God, through Christ driving malice, gossiping, lying, filthiness, foolishness, from our personality.

We are to judge our own thoughts, insuring that we are meditating in the Word of God, gaining victory over unclean imaginations and covetousness.

We are to judge our own hearts, asking ourselves if Christ’s Presence and love are filling our emotions and attitudes. Are we truly gaining the upper hand over lust, and self-contentedness?

This is how we examine ourselves, determining whether we are in the faith.

The great error of our day is the belief that maintaining correct doctrine is proof that we are in Christ and candidates for the first resurrection from the dead. Salvation is not in word alone. Salvation is in the possession of Christ in our personality.

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