Evidence that Convicts

     The quote below is often shared as a thought-provoking idea.  I've heard this phrase used as a challenge to go further in living out the Christian life.  Other times, I've seen it as a guilt-producing statement made by controlling leaders who wanted to assert that people aren't doing enough.  According to what I was able to discover, this quote originated about 90 years ago (the 1930's), and it was popularized by 39th US President Jimmy Carter in the late 70's.  If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  

     This quote assumes you want to be convicted in this case.  It is, in essence, asking, Can others tell you're a Christian?  The phrase supposes the evidence that would allegedly convict you would be your works.  Is it true?  Do our good deeds prove our faith?  In a sense, yes.  James 2:18 says, show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  Matthew 5:16 likewise says, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has good deeds planned ahead of time for us to do!  Jesus gave an even more specific comment on this at the Last Supper, when He told His disciples, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  Our love for each other will alert others to our faith.  

    So, we have some scriptures that point to what we should be doing to prove our faith to a watching world: good works, and love for one another.  These things should authenticate our testimony.  However, these things must never, ever take the place of our testimony.  To go back to the quote I started with, these good deeds can't be our only "evidence."  If they are evidence, they are circumstantial--not enough to convict by themselves.  Why?  

     Are born again Christians the only ones on earth who do good deeds?  No!  There are many unsaved people who try to help their fellowman.  They are humans created in the image of God, and He has placed good traits in them, as He has in everyone.  These people are wonderful; they just aren't saved (yet, but hopefully will be!).  If doing good deeds were the only evidence of salvation, we would have to erroneously conclude these unbelieving do-gooders are also Christians.  

     Doing good deeds should be the result of our faith in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, but doing good deeds isn't what makes us Christians to begin with.  As such, doing good isn't convincing evidence by itself.  

     What does a person need to do to be a Christian?  According to Acts 16:31, we are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  If a person has professed faith in Christ as the Savior, that profession is convicting evidence.  Other things, such as being aligned with a church that preaches Christian doctrine from the Bible, and outwardly sharing one's salvation in Jesus, would also be convicting evidence, because someone who isn't a believer likely wouldn't be doing these things.  Again, though, these things are results of faith, not a means of achieving it.  

     I believe scripture gives us the Apostle Paul's answer to the question, If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  I believe he would dispense with the evidence gathering, and just preach the gospel, giving his accusers what they need to resolve the case.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (First Corinthians 9:16).  But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Second Timothy 4:5).  

     Last weekend, Little Rock, Arkansas (my city of residence) was hit by a devastating tornado.  The Christians in our city have really stepped up in reaching out to our hurting community.  

Some initial pictures I took of the damage near our house--the tornado was a quarter mile from us.  There is much worse!

     My husband, little boy and I were able to participate in a few different relief efforts.  Below, little Tommy is seen helping with the clean-up at a church that partners with our ministry, and was badly damaged.  

     Our church (the church we actually attend) has majorly served the needy in Jesus' name.  They have become a hub for the relief efforts in the area, and other organizations are partnering with them.  These are good works that God put before the believers here.  It would have been cruel and useless if we had simply given Bibles to these displaced people who lost everything, and told them "God bless you!" but didn't actually try to help their other needs as well.  James 2:15-16 addresses this: If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  We need to be showing love to the whole person.  However, I meet many who go the opposite extreme, always meeting physical needs without considering the spiritual, and that's wrong too.  We already saw what Paul stated in First Corinthians 9:16 and Second Timothy 4:5.  Jesus Himself said we are to Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15).  Hand in hand, these things (doing good to others, and preaching the gospel to back up the reason for the good works) would certainly be the evidence needed!  I believe that is happening in Little Rock right now. 

     My family was able to share Christ with families in North Little Rock (partnering with another ministry that was meeting physical needs--pictured above), and our church has been giving daily reports of those they have been helping, including some who have been led to a saving knowledge of Christ!  This is what happens when there's evidence that convicts!  

     So is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?  Don't wait for the trial!  Preach the gospel right away, and rise to any occasion the Lord provides to server others.