Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed. — II Corinthians 13:5-6 NRSVUE
Paul advises the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they are living in the faith. This instruction is plural, and the hope to pass is in the first person plural; Paul identifies with the community that we hopes will pass the test.
We are all familiar with what testing looks like; we answer exam questions. Paul, however, isn’t looking for people to pass an exam on Bible knowledge or orthodox theology; right before he calls for the church to examine themselves, he tells them he will not be lenient with those living in sin when he visits. Paul is not calling for an exam on what people believe, but if people are living their beliefs, and are in a state where Christ has saved them from their sin.
When we take an examination, we usually answer questions knowing what answers we hope to get. If it were a knowledge test, getting an answer wrong would simply mean remembering the right answer in the future; but Paul isn’t calling on people to test their knowledge, he’s calling on them to test how they live. Answers that deviate show areas that need work and further reflection. Self examination requires us to reflect deeply and answer honestly.
The Greek word translated “repentance” can also be translated to re-think. Self examination is part of the work of repentance, it is a way to identify those areas in our lives that need thought, prayer and change. It also serves as a check-up to see if we still have work to accomplish.
There are several systems that one can use for self examination. Using scripture, one can go through the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-18), the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:16-24), and Paul’s description of love (1 Corinthians 13). In addition to what we find in scripture, various religious communities have come up with their own questions for community members to answer — for example, Ignatius of Loyola wrote a list of questions in 1522 called the examen that are still used around the world today.
Quakers use the spiritual practice of reading “queries” which are a set of questions that are to be read out loud in committee meetings and meetings for business. These questions were written according to observed needs of the regional community. Some questions in a Faith and Practice were written recently, others such as “Do you love one another as becomes the followers of Christ? Are you careful of the reputation of others? When differences arise, do you make earnest effort to end them speedily?” (Western YM Faith and Practice) are substantially similar to wording used in the 18th century. In this communal sense, reflection on these questions is used by leaders to identify sin that is endemic to the community and find ways to guide the community to repentance and greater faithfulness.
Friends also encourage individual to use these questions for private self examination. Private use encourages Friends to be a thoughtful member of the faith community. We live in the reality that living out our faith is both communal and individual. In many ways, it is easiest to be a Christian on Sunday morning. When the Church meets together, there are shared community values, and shared behavioral expectations. Unless the community is deeply unhealthy, one can expect kindness and controlled tongues. One does not expect malicious gossip and the destruction of reputations during a worship service or Bible study. The hard part comes on Monday when the standards are different and whether or not to participate in office gossip becomes a personal choice.
On Monday morning, the individual’s personal faith is what matters most. Does my personal faith lead to the type of integrity that continues to live in the the faith? Even if we do not examine ourselves, life will examine us, and often our grade will be visible to those around us. If we do not do the work of repentance before life tests us, we cannot hope to pass the test that we did not prepare for. The work of repentance is a work where I, you, and we hope to find out that we have not failed.
Michael's 'Deep Thoughts' 
