Two Simple Tests for a True Abiding Believer in Christ
The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" [2]. This call for self-examination is a recurring theme in the New Testament, urging Christians to assess the authenticity of their spiritual state [1, 5]. Two primary tests emerge from scriptural teaching and theological interpretation for discerning a true, abiding believer in Christ: the indwelling presence of Christ and the demonstration of love.
The first test involves recognizing the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ. Paul directly links this to self-examination, asking, "Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified" [1]. The absence of Christ's presence would indicate a failure in genuine faith [4]. This presence signifies a conversion to the Christian faith and the reception of the remission of sins [3]. To "abide in Christ" means to continue in this state of salvation and to grow spiritually [3]. John Gill, in his commentary on 2 Corinthians, suggests that if individuals were truly "in the faith," they would find within themselves proof of Christ's work through the apostles [7]. This internal witness of Christ's presence is a fundamental indicator of authentic belief.
The second test is the demonstration of love, particularly love for God and for fellow believers. The Apostle John emphasizes this, stating, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" [6]. Adam Clarke highlights that true love for God or humanity is not merely an empty profession but a felt reality [8]. He considers this "the strongest and most infallible test that can be given" for a person's Christianity [8]. This love is not just an emotion but manifests in actions, specifically "walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbor" [3]. Furthermore, love for one another is presented as evidence of having purified one's soul through obedience to the truth of the Gospel [9]. This active, unfeigned love for the brethren serves as a tangible sign of an abiding relationship with Christ [9].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. -- 2 Corinthians 13:5”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (BSB) — Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:6: Abideth in him - He who not only professes to have known Christ, but also that he has communion with him, and abides in his favor, should prove the truth of his profession by walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbor. Thus Christ walked; and he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. To be in Christ, Jo1 2:5, is to be converted to the Christian faith, and to have received the remission of sins. To abide in Christ, Jo1 2:6, is to continue in that state of salvation, grow”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 13:5: 13:5-6 The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, they are the ones who have failed the test of genuine faith (literally are disproved). There is a play on words here: They were looking for “proof” of Paul’s apostolic authority, but Paul urges them, Test yourselves (or Prove yourselves). The lack of Christ’s presence would disprove their authenticity as Christians. But Paul himself has demonstrated that he has not failed the test of apostolic authority (literally not been disproved).”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 11:28: Let a man examine himself - Let him try whether he has proper faith in the Lord Jesus; and whether he discerns the Lord's body; and whether he duly considers that the bread and wine point out the crucified body and spilt blood of Christ.”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:23: The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments, and pleasing God, as the qualification of effectual petitioners in and with Heaven, here suitably proceeds, I. To represent to us what those commandments primarily and summarily are; they are comprehended in this double one: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, Jo1 3:23. To believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ is, 1. To discern what he is, according to his name, to have an intellectual view of his perso”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,.... These words are to be considered in connection with Co2 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recognise their own souls; where if things were right, they would find a proof of Christ's speaking in him, to them: he advises them to examine the state of their own souls, and see whether they were in the faith; either in the doctrine of faith, having a spiritual and experimental”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 3:19: Hereby we know that we are of the truth - That we have the true religion of the Lord Jesus, and shall assure our hearts - be persuaded in our consciences, that we have the truth as it is in Jesus; as no man can impose upon himself by imagining he loves when he does not: he may make empty professions to others, but if he loves either God or man, he knows it because he feels it; and love unfelt is not love, it is word or tongue. This the apostle lays down as a test of a man's Christianity, and it is the strongest and most infallible test that can be given. He that lov”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:22: Seeing ye have purified your souls - Having purified your souls, in obeying the truth - by believing in Christ Jesus, through the influence and teaching of the Spirit; and giving full proof of it by unfeigned love to the brethren; ye love one another, or ye will love each other, with a pure heart fervently. These persons, First, heard the truth, that is, the Gospel; thus called in a great variety of places in the New Testament, because it contains The truth without mixture of error, and is the truth and substance of all the preceding dispensations by which it was t”