Your Christian Litmus Test
Dictionary dot com has this definition for Litmus Test, "a crucial and revealing test in which there is one factor." Meghan McCain wrote, "The Democrats seem to have mastered inclusiveness - whereas Republicans, like a country club, seem to require a litmus test." Inclusiveness means "including everything concerned." God's Word requires Christians to do a litmus test. The Bible says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).
One key truth to examining yourself is checking your love for God's correction, direction and protection. Jesus, the person Christians proclaim to serve said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) The Bible says Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. (John 1:14) "Word" (????? lógos) meaning divine revelation and declaration. (The Complete Word Study of the New Testament) If you love Jesus Christ and are surrendered to His Holy Spirit's leading, there will be a hunger and thirst for the written Word so you may know God's will for you. Christians who are hungry for God's Word have more noble character than those who are not wanting or willing to do the hard work of study of God's Word. (Acts 17:11) The Apostle Paul told Timothy "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteous [living]." (2 Timothy 3:16)
Kohl's Kicking Camps have determined, the kicking specialist who goes the farthest in the place kicking field, are kickers who do the hard work of reading about and studying the place kicking game in football. Kohl's Training Camps are seen by ESPN as being the best in finding place kicking specialist for college and the NFL. The individual who makes the time to search out and learn what he needs to know so he can do what is right - has noble character.
According to the Bible, Christians are called to be specialist in handling, teaching and living out the whole counsel of God's Word. (2 Timothy 2:15) The Bible says the person who lives out the written Word of God will be blessed. (James 1:25) The fact is, a person's love for the Lord grows as he or she reads the Bible. Christians, allow the Holy Spirit of Christ to bring illumination of the Bible and seek His enablement to live out what is revealed to them through the written Word.
To many churches today have become club houses, they gather together miss-appropriating the verse, "meeting together" (Hebrews 10:25) Their church gatherings have become social meetings, talking about themselves, their community events or political views. There is little desire to examine themselves to God's Word, which says Christians are to "guard their [heart when they go the house of God]. [They] are to draw near to listen" (Ecclesiastes 5:1) to men or woman who possess the Christ appointed gifts for the unifying the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12) True Christians leaders possessing one of the five gifts from Jesus Christ speak spiritual "words" (ta rhemata ) for your spiritual health. The heart of true spiritual leaders reflect the prayer of the Apostle Paul which, "is your perfection [in God's sight]." (2 Corinthians 13:9)
What is your litmus test to determining if your are a true Christian? Does it line up with the whole counsel of God's Word?
