Why a Litmus test for the church? A litmus test consists of a piece of paper impregnated with different chemicals shown by different colours on the paper, to enable one to ascertain the chemical composition of a liquid substance such as water.
When this litmus paper is inserted into the water, the different chemical substances in the water discolours these colour blocks to reveal its presence in the water. The paper also warns one of the presence of certain adverse chemicals which should not be present.
In this blog, we are going to try and design such a piece of litmus paper and insert it into the holy waters of the Church.
As a start I can already think of some chemicals which should and should not be in these holy waters.
Good chemicals :
1. The facilitation of our participation in the Communion of the Blood of Christ (1 Cor.10:16)
2. The facilitation of our participation in the Communion of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16)- Holy Communion and His Church.
3. The facilitation of our Communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor.13:14)
4. The facilitation of our ministry in terms of our obligation to spread the Gospel and to bring in the Harvest.
5. The facilitation of our spiritual growth through Bible studies, teachings and sharing testimonies with other Christian Believers. (The cummunion with the Saved Ones.)
Bad chemicals :
1. Men made rules and regulations.
2. Tradition. Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
3. A chase after Prosperity, money and outward signs. Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
4. A from of Godliness. 2 Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
5. Leading the congregation into bondage.2 Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive .....
6. Talking the talk but not walking the Walk. Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. v:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
7. Having teachings and dogmas not supported by a proper understanding of the Bible.
8. Persecution of persons not conforming to their dogmas and teachings regardless of whether they are founded properly in the Scriptures.
Just remember, one day when we all get judged, you will not be able to say: "... but my preacher said...". YOU will be judged, and YOU are going to be accountable. So make sure that you serve the Lord in an environment where you can grow and get the spiritual stimulation you deserve.
Hosea 4:6-9 ...my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.“Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful. They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
What do you think would be right and wrong ingredients?
Comments welcome!
Thanks - this was insightfull !!
ReplyDeleteI have also found a strong negative 'chemical' to be where the church/body/individual believes that THEIR way of serving/following/worshiping God is the ONLY way in which it should be done, and that THEIR way of worship was the only/last/holiest from of worship that was 'divinely Inspired'. (a form of spiritual snobbish-ness)
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Scripture teaches us that there is nothing new on this earth, and if we claim to be Gods only chosen to whom He has decided to reveal His Truths to, I think there needs to be some serious re-evaluation to be done.
The internet is strewn with self-proclaimed prophets who claim to have the REAL inspiration from God Himself, but there is one Spirit with which we should test these so-called 'prophets' - the True Holy Spirit of God.
Thanks Roan
ReplyDeleteYour are referring to chemicals that I did not even mention or contemplate in the litmus test - mainly because the litmus test does not show poisons.
It would be unconventional for a doctor to test for arsenic during your yearly medical.
But many churches are plaqued by poisons of the kind you mentioned, and the problem with that is that one does not expect poisons in one's food when dining at a reputable restaurant, but food poisoning is very serious and it is difficult to avoid when you are eating out - such as at a Holy Communion - or the Last Supper.
These poisons are the exercise of power, sexual harassments, false prophecy, blackmail, deceit, fear and jealousy and a lot more - in the name of God.
And it is all the more dangerous because one do not expect, believe, discern or confront the insidious working of this poison.