What’s the test of the Christian? Paul tells them to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith. They are supposed to test whether or not Christ is in them.

How would you know? How do you know the Holy Spirit is in you?

I think holiness is the best test. Satan can imitate experiences. I once had someone tell me their friend got filled with the Holy Spirit at this conference they went to, and then they had to cast a demon out of her that night. Um…no, she was filled with a demon. They didn’t know the difference. They assumed the experience meant it was of God. It obviously wasn’t.

The difference is holiness. The Holy Spirit will make you holy. He will separate you from sin, self, and the world and separate you to God. If you can continue in sin, you are not filled with the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t mean we’ll never sin, but God won’t let you get away with sin. You will have conviction of sin. You will be bound to righteousness, to doing what is right. You won’t be gleeful in getting away with something. You’ll be tormented until you set it right.

You won’t be able to enjoy the things of this world that others enjoy. It’s not enjoyable to you when you have a holy, righteous God living in you.

This isn’t following rules others give you. This is the Holy Spirit convicting you over things that other people, even other Christians, think are fine.

If you are in Christ, you have the power of God. You have power over sin. You have the power to say no and walk away rejoicing.

Finally, Paul says, “Rejoice.” Rejoice. When you don’t know what to do, rejoice.

We’re a church. We’re for one another. We want to see each other restored, not torn down. We want to see each other comforted, not scolded. We want to live in peace and in one accord, not in disagreements.

If we live like that, the God of love and peace will be with us to help us out. His grace is sufficient.