For myself, I rely on first and foremost a litmus test of, “Does what is being communicated to me, reflect the love of God, for the world, through the Holy Spirit and as presented by Jesus Christ?” This is at the center of what I believe the Christian message should reflect. My pastor continually reminds me about two things. One, it is all about the love that God has for the whole world. Number two is, if the message detracts from the focus as explained above, it is most likely not correct. He says this in other words, “Does it really matter what Moses sandal size was?” There are other factors I used to also evaluate the message as well, but still with the lens as described above. I have pastors and instructors I rely upon for guidance. Sometimes for me it is a matter embracing faith and letting go for now what I don’t understand.
The focus of my litmus test, matters a great deal to me. The love of the world by God, includes humans, and in such, includes myself. More importantly I think, is the love of God through the Holy Spirit and manifested in Jesus Christ for the world. Knowing God understands the human condition and is willing to take it to the cross for humankind gives a real sense that God does understand humans and their brokenness.
Knowing God’s love in the context laid out above not only matters to me, but should matter to all humans. Eternal life is at stake in believing the message or not. Even life here on earth is affected today and tomorrow by God’s love and how others understand this love.