It’s hard not to be defensive when someone challenges you by declaring, “Well, that’s not very Christian!” If fruits of the Spirit bolster one’s faith, then perhaps a more appropriate challenge should be, “Well, that’s not very Christlike!” Both point out the reality that living in Christ is a subjective standard at best. Authors of New Testament scripture take their best shots at defining righteousness and yet there exists no clear litmus test that conforms to all circumstances and settings.

Examine the organizational timeline of any denomination and one can identify mo...