Litmus Test

Sometimes it falls upon every Christian to have to deal with self-doubt. We all have asked ourselves if we really are saved, if we really are doing what we are supposed to be doing. These questions are not at all uncommon. And, as long as we see them as the satanic whisperings into our ear that they are, and not some massive flaw on the part of salvation, then we can endure them. They are just fiery darts being cast at us by the enemy ("Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Eph. 6:16)

So, how about I show you a "litmus test" that will prove that the Lord is, in fact, in you, and taking care of you? Take a look at this verse:

"Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."
Titus 1:15

We see here that there is a complete split between saved and unsaved. The saved amongst us are πᾶς καθαρός ὁ καθαρός (pas katharos ho katharos - "all that is clean is clean".) Everyone that has been justified (been made innocent) from their sins has been made clean. Likewise, those that are clean are completely clean.

On the other side of the coin, you have those that are not saved. These live with hatred toward God. In the unregenerated man, nothing is pure. Because they are spiritually dead, their mind, their conscience, both are driven by the lusts of the flesh. Every aspect of their lives is defiled and unclean before God.

Knowing this split exists, and that the differences are so well defined, we have the basis for our test.

Here is the question I ask of you:

The commandments and statutes of the Lord--do they make you feel...

(A) Happy inside, do they make you feel enlightened when you read and study them?

Or, do they...

(B) Make you sad, or angry, or do they make you feel depressed?

If your answer is (A), please consider the following verse:

"The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes."
Psalms 19:8

One of the nice effects of having been born again spiritually is that the purity obtained seeks it's own. We rejoice in the Word of God, our Savior. Even when we fail to live up to His expectations, we see the commandments of God not as condemnation that threatens, but as salvation that promises.

If you answered (B), then you should consider this:

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:18

Those that do not believe in Jesus Christ will find that the Word of God convicts, it presses, it deflates. It will provoke fear in some, rage in others. The defilement formed from the hatred that the unsaved have toward our Father is inflamed in the presence of the righteousness of God.

So, when satan starts pestering you that you are somehow not "making the grade" as a Christian, then remember this little test. And, keep in mind how this applies in view of these parting words:

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
John 3:20-21

Grace and Peace....