Examine Yourself

2 Corinthians 13:5-6    
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul urged those who questioned his authority in Christ to test that by all he said and did in the earlier chapters in this letter.  Now he points back to the doubters and accusers to test themselves for signs of proof in themselves that they are truly of Christ.  This is not in retaliation, but to judge themselves by the measure they are using.  He desires most of all that they are assured of their calling and election, their salvation, for that is what he taught them in the gospel and brought them to meet Christ’s grace by.  He further warns that if the changes of regeneration are not present, that disqualifies them, just as it would Paul and his coworkers.  For us, we need to only question our qualification if we see no sign of change within, such as being able to spiritually understand the scriptures, demonstrating fruit of the Spirit, possessing the love of Christ, and other such visible results in a new creation.