Evidence: Christian?

Do you show the evidence of being a Christian? 

Forensic crime television shows are extremely popular these days. TV forensics technicians scour crime scenes for clues: who did what, where, and how? Real detectives and crime lab techs use evidence to build a case against a suspect, and the evidence rarely, lies -- especially DNA evidence, which is specific to each individual on earth. 

When we look at the definition of evidence, we find such phrases as "ground for belief, proof," "something that makes plain or clear, a sign," and "data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects," according to dictionary.com. 

Those same phrases could easily be used in determining if someone is truly a Christian: someone who has surrendered their lives to Christ, repented and turned away from their sins, and have made the conscious decision to actively follow Christ. There are people all over the world who, when given a list of religions, will check the "Christian" box just because they do not identify with the other choices available to them, but when asked, have never actually accepted Christ's free gift of salvation. Perhaps they identify with "Christian" because they were raised in the church, or their parents went to church, or they know of Jesus but -- and here's the kicker: they don't know Him, and He certainly does not know them. 

What are the types of evidence that show when someone is truly a Christian? Forensic crime labs use such evidence as genetic material, digital evidence, forensic dentistry, toxicology, impression and pattern evidence, and trace evidence to build a case. Some of these phrases could also be used to describe the types of evidence to determine if a person is a Christian... or not. These evidence types could help you determine if you are truly a Christian. 

Remember, the devil (satan), doesn't want you questioning your faith -- as then you may do something about it. Jesus wants you to make sure of your faith. All eternity is riding on it. 

Also remember, Jesus did everything necessary when He died on the cross and rose again from the dead three days later. Salvation is not about Jesus + anything...it's all about Jesus. However, there are markers that show someone has truly accepted Christ. 

Evidence: Repentance

Jeremiah 8:6 states, "I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle." 

Repentance is recognizing that you have sinned, for there is no one on earth who has not sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus," wrote Paul in Romans 3:23-24. 

How does one repent? First, asking Jesus for forgiveness and confessing sins before Him, then turning away from those sins and not doing them anymore. The Scriptures states, “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!" Ezekiel 14:6. Turn from lying, from stealing, from abusing drugs and alcohol, from wicked acts -- and do not do them anymore. It is difficult, as we're all prone to sin, but when you accept Jesus as Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to indwell your spirit and the Holy Spirit will help you, will be your conscious. 

Someone who claims they are a Christian, but still sins like they did before they mouthed the words to accept Christ's salvation, and have not turned away from the sinful acts for which they asked forgiveness.... the evidence does not point to a repentant heart. A true Christian will have a repentant heart. 

Evidence: Change of Heart and Life

A long with repentance is the evident change of heart and life that will be apparent to all around the new Christian. If language was a sinful act they did before they accepted Christ as Savior, they will have a burning desire (that would be the Holy Spirit) encouraging them to stop that behavior. They will not be the same person they were before. They are new, and do not desire to go back to the worldly point of view of sin they wallowed in before. Paul wrote, "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" {2 Corinthians 5:16-17]. 

Many times a repentant heart and turning away from sin means leaving behind people that you associated with in the past. This can be painful, particularly if they are family members. But if those unbelieving people pull you down and become stumbling blocks to your faith, frankly -- your faith is more important to Christ than the relationships that try to impede your new-found faith. Christ once said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, even their own life — such a person cannot be my disciple," [Luke 14:26]. Jesus was not saying here that we have to hate these people as we understand hate, but that we have to be willing to put Him first above all other relationships. 

Indeed, people from the past will often try to trip up a new Christian. Paul wrote in Galatians, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you," [5:7]. In addition, Paul wrote in verses 24 & 25, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." 

If a professing Christian does not have as evidence a change of heart and indeed, a new life, in addition to a lack of repentance, faith is questionable. 

Evidence: Fruit of the Spirit

Perhaps the greatest testimony of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is fruit. Horticulturists know when an apple tree is healthy and alive when its boughs are full of fruit. If the apple tree is dead, it will not give fruit. The same example could be said of the healthy Christian. 

What makes up the Fruit of the Spirit? Paul wrote in Galatians 5: 22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." How do we acquire fruit? 

By struggles. 

I have a houseplant that blooms at random times of the year, most often, after a period of time in which I forget to water it. It blooms after a period of struggle. God uses pain, strife, hardship and struggle in our lives to draw us closer to Him, and therefore, to develop Fruit of the Spirit in us. I went through a period in my life 10 years ago in which I was partially paralyzed from a domestic violence incident from my abusive ex-husband. Nine days after surgery, that marriage ended officially. Although that was a very painful period in my life, the Lord God taught me so much about Who He is: faithful, dedicated, Promise-keeper. He provided for me and my two boys on a daily basis, and what He provided was fruit. 

He gave me a solid love for Him and my children, then joy in what He was doing in our lives. He then gave us peace -- peace that passes all understanding, peace that only Jesus can provide. He then provided forbearance -- which is patient endurance -- then kindness. He used my struggles to allow me to be kind not only to my children but to other single moms who were struggling too. Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control all followed. God built upon each piece of fruit to produce the next piece of fruit. He did not give me an entire fruit bowl of blessings all at once, but built upon them. 

God uses struggles to draw us closer to Him and produce spiritual fruit. You can readily tell a Christian because, even though they are going through struggles, they exude joy, patient endurance, gentleness. They know that this life is temporary and they are looking forward to the eternal. They know that God is in control even when it looks like everything is falling apart. 

A non-Christian complains, plays the victim, does not have joy or peace and more than that: tries to wreck the peace of others. They do not understand how someone, a Christian, can have a life of turmoil but still give God glory. 

Evidence: Faith And Works

A Christian who has been changed by Jesus desires to serve Him. They know their acts of service, called works in some circles, cannot buy salvation, but comes out of a heart that has been touched by Jesus. 

They long to serve Him by serving others. They do so with a willing, joyful heart -- not begrudgingly, or not with the attitude they're doing people -- or God -- a favor, but all because God loved them so much He was willing to send His Son Jesus to die for them. For the Christian, this thought is almost too much to bear -- we got to work it out! We have to serve Christ by being His hands and feet to others. "We love because He first loved us," 1 John 4:19. 

A person who has not been changed by God does not long to serve others, or if they do, its out of a false sense of "earning" salvation. There is nothing anyone can possibly do to buy salvation. 

Evidence: Desire for the Things of God

A Christian desires the things of God. Filled with a desire to know Him better and deeper, they read and study the Bible, actively pray, fellowship with other believers, participate in church regularly, and serve Him. They tithe and give. 

They also focus on the good, for God is good. The Bible states, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things," Phillipians 4:8. 

If this means turning off a television program that is not pure, so be it. If this means not seeing a blood-and-guts movie that is filled with cursing and taking the name of the Lord in vain, good. If this means reading God-glorifying books, magazines, blogs or other publications, wonderful (and thank you!). Don't you want to be someone who knows what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy? 

If someone says they are a Christian, and continually goes back to the same movies, books, language, places, websites, and truly, a lifestyle, that does not hold to these standards, one must wonder about their commitment to the things of God. 

Evidence: Persecution

Finally, a piece of evidence that points to a true Christian is persecution. Jesus said, "Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also," John 15:20. 

In the days of the early church, Christians were persecuted by being murdered for their faith, hated, spit upon, told to be silenced ... sounds a lot like today's world. Christians all over the world today are being beheaded, killed, burned alive, raped, silenced, and persecuted legally -- all for the Name of Christ. It is happening in Iraq, in Iran, in Europe, in Africa, and in the United States. There is no difference in persecution from the woman raped and the man beheaded because they will not denounce Christ and convert to Islam, then the child in the United States who is told he cannot pray or read his Bible in a public school. 

For the Christian, they know of the great reward awaiting them in heaven for being persecuted in Jesus' name. They delight in persecutions, in hardships, for they know that Christ is getting all the glory. Their strength comes not from their own bodies or minds but from the Holy Spirit. Paul, who knew his share of difficulties, wrote, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong," [2 Corinthians 12:10]. 

For the Christian, it is not a matter of if they will be persecuted, but when. Paul wrote, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," [2 Timothy 3:12]. The key is not to fear persecution or attacks from satan, but to live a bold life, worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus. 

Action Plan: What to Do? 

If you are reading this and you are seriously wondering if you are a Christian, you don't have to wonder any more. You can pray a simple prayer like this: "Dear Jesus, You came and died a horrible death for me on the cross, taking all my sins upon you. I ask you forgiveness from those sins, and I repent of those sins now. Help me to turn away from those sins and create in me a new life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen." 

Then, do it. Turn away from the dead-end life you were in, steeped in sin, and do not go back there. If you know of someone who says they are a Christian but the evidence points to the contrary, pray for them. Pray with them. Invite them to church. Love on them, and lead them to Jesus. Live a bold life of faith, one in which, when you stand before Jesus, He will smile upon you and say "well done, good and faithful servant." 

Amen. 

In Him Who Loved Me First,
Terrie 

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