Spirit of Christ

"Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9). 

There it is. Plain as day. Written in our own language. It's been there for centuries in plain print. We read it from time to time, and then "it flies forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day." As we look about us, it's hard to believe that so many "Christians" have developed such a bad case of Bible amnesia when it comes to this text. Has that happened to me?

This is the test of all tests. "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." Talk about a test of orthodoxy! Do I possess the Spirit of Christ? Am I doing what Christ would have me do? If so, it will mean that the Spirit is shaping and regulating my actions. The evidence for a Spirit-controlled life is whether there grows in me the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22, "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." The true, and great, test of my Christianity is not merely being able to produce a baptismal certificate, it is ethical! 

If we are not careful, we will all end up "majoring on minors." A number of years ago, a friend of mine was somewhat discouraged as he saw where the emphasis was being placed in his church. He shared with me a question his father asked: "Do you really suppose that God cares whether our preacher is wearing a white or blue robe?" My friend was growing tired of the superficial, the boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, the salutations in the market place. He longed for that which was meaningful and substantial.

What counts? "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).