The Test of Christianity
By L. A. S.
“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9. This is a safe rule, and one which detects many counterfeits bearing the Christian label. The world is full of men who prophesy in the name of Christ, and in his name do many wonderful works, but in whose attitude toward others the Spirit of Christ does not appear. High profession, loud talking, great activity, a fine display of zeal and ability, combined with the spirit of self, is not Christianity. If the Spirit of Christ is lacking, the whole is fatally defective. The very soul and essence of Christianity is not there. Another cause than that of Christianity is being served by the ability and works that are displayed. It is the Spirit of Christ that makes Christianity attractive. It is like the flavoring in food. A nice-appearing dish may be prepared without the proper flavoring, but it will not be eaten. Suppose that in the place of the sugar that is called for in the recipe, the one preparing the article of food uses salt. Perhaps the preparation will look all right, and it will have most of the essential ingredients, but for any practical purpose it is utterly useless. So are works, profession, zeal, oratory, etc., when the spirit of self is put in the place of the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ is characterized by an unselfish interest in the affairs of others. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:4. It is the spirit of brotherly kindness and of charity. There are many false Christs and false prophets in the world who are able to show great signs and wonders, and deceive multitudes into the belief that they5are the special agents of God; but if they are tested by the spirit which they manifest toward others, it will be seen that they have another master than Christ. Their effort is not to exalt Christ, but some other being. The Spirit of Christ gives forth a fragrance that can not fail to attract those who are brought in touch with it. The possession of this Spirit is not a matter of secondary importance. It does not occupy a secondary position to the doctrines and forms of religious worship. A man may be zealous for all these, and yet be so disagreeable in disposition as to exert a repelling rather than an attracting influence. It would be better if such persons made no profession at all; they would do less harm to the cause of Christianity. If Christianity is not the most attractive thing in the world, it is not what it claims to be; and if Christians are not the most attractive people in the world, they are not true witnesses for Christ. L. A. S.