Litmus Test

    The definition of a litmus test is twofold. 1. The use of litmus paper or solution to test the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. 2. A crucial and revealing test in which there is one decisive factor, a critical indication of future success or failure.  The first one is a simple test such as testing to see if ones pool has the right amount of chemicals in it so it does not turn green. Whatever colour the paper turns tells you the condition of your pool. If it is not the right colour you make the necessary changes to fix it or go to your local pool place and let them tell you what to do. The second is used in politics to determine whether the candidate would receive a nomination. An example would be; the party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates. In the church the word of God is the Litmus test to see whether a church is actually a church following the word of God. A simple test is to look at the book of Acts and then make a comparison to the church. This will determine eternal success or failure. The startling results of this test is that many churches would have no idea what you are talking about and many successful churches (at least through man’s eyes) would not pass this Litmus Test. In Luke 7:18 Jesus speaks to John’s disciples. “John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? 21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” When we make this comparison you will see very quickly that most churches are off track even if they look successful. Sadly most will ignore the evidence of the test or say Jesus does not do that any more and continue on down the path they have chosen. Just like in the case of my pool, if I ignore the evidence, I am going to have a green pool shortly. If we ignore the evidence given to us by scripture we will end up totally off track and taking people with us. Acts is the compilation of the gospels being carried out. These are the Acts of the early church. For too long now many have only seen these acts as appointed for that time period to start the church but not to continue it. Frankly that makes no sense at all. How depressing is that? John 14:11 says, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Take time to apply this litmus test to the church you attend and to yourself and see what the results are. If you or your church are seeking to be a church of Acts or are already seeing the results, then good keep seeking. If not, you need to seek direction from God and make the necessary changes to yourself and to the church. This may result in changing churches, changing your devotional life but most importantly it means changing your prayer life. If the church you are attending is not interested in making these changes you may be swimming in a green pool shortly. There are times my pool looks like it is in good shape but after I have it tested I find out I need 5 gallons of chlorine and 6kg of baking soda. Don’t be deceived by appearance. If I did not make the change my pool was in trouble. I will let you make the comparison to the church.