I didn't protest at all. You've quoted my first post for a second time.
That's what you believe. It is obvious from Scripture that is not the case. Only one verse (2 Corinthians 13:5) could even remotely be put up as a verse that advises to examine one's self as to salvation, but even that verse is not about such examination. Paul is speaking to those in the church at Corinth who doubt he is sent by God. All Paul is saying is that if they doubt he is from God, perhaps they need to look at themselves to see if they are hearing God, i.e., "in the faith", able to hear the voice of God whether through others, through the written word, or from Him directly.
Paul states he does not examine himself (1 Corinthians 4:3) as to being a believer, or being sent by God. This is again when Corinthian believers question his authenticity. He says his own conviction that there is nothing standing against him does not acquit him, but the Lord God does so. If Paul doesn't examine himself as to salvation, why would he advise anyone else to do so? That would be the height of inconsistency, and call into question his apostleship.
You have a misunderstanding of what self-examination is for the Christian. It is not to see if one is a believer. It is to see if one is on the proper path to know, grow in, and be a true disciple of God. That doesn't entail belief, though certainly belief is necessary for one to be in that position. It entails right relationship with Him. In other words, not forgetting who we are and what He has done for us to put us in that position to begin with.
