let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup

(1 Corinthians 11:28)

Usually, when we think of examining ourselves, we think of examining our lives. How are we dealing with besetting sins? Are we reading the Bible to our spiritual profit? Are we spending time in prayer and communion with the Lord? What does our daily lives say about our love to Christ? Can others see that we are Christians? What did Paul say? Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith: if we gain assurance by how well we are performing, it is a false, works based assurance. [If we conclude, we are not saved because of our failures in these things, we are once again making salvation dependent upon our performance]. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that when He said, “It is finished” the salvation of all the elect was accomplished? (John 19:30) Are you relying on who He is and what He did as all you have for acceptance with God? Then you are “in the faith” and a true child of God.