2Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I have listened to several preachers who claim to be Pauline in doctrine. A number of them believe it is impossible for a believer to be out of the faith. In the opening text, Paul enjoined believers to examine themselves to be sure they are in the faith lest they become reprobates. Reprobates? That's a big word.
If it weren't possible to be out of this race and become reprobates, Paul wouldn't have made that statement. Such statement shows the possibility of falling away and missing the mark. Paul recommend self appraisal to his listeners.
Self-appraisal is also known as self-assessment or self-evaluation. In the education sector, there's a system of appraisal that is put in place known as continuous assessment. Without it, no pupil or student can graduate from the school. This is done often to ascertain the cognitive level and compliance of the learners.
In the kingdom, we also need to subject ourselves to constant self-assessment. Jesus told the Ephesian church they had forsaken their first love (Rev2:4). If they had done a self-appraisal of their faith, they may not have earned themselves the sharp rebuke they got.
Without hearing a thunderous voice from heaven, you can do a self-appraisal by yourself and come up with a score card provided you are sincere.
A prophet was challenged about his polygamous life style. He responded by saying, 'After all, I'm still prophesying and my prophecies are coming to pass.' That man appraised himself wrongly. It is possible to fall away from the standard laid down.
It is possible to start in the Spirit and switch into the flesh. It is possible to be vibrant for God and not be holy. It is possible to be speaking in tongues, performing miracles, prophesying and still be sinning.
Don't let the flow of gifts prevent you from appraising yourself to know if you're still in the faith.
Father, I receive the grace to stand on the path of holiness in Jesus name.