Enough Evidence to Convict You of Being a Christian?

If someone accused you of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

1.

You’re with your friends when someone lights a cigarette and offers it around. To your utter amazement, the others take turns smoking it. Something tells you that this isn’t a good scene.

You: A- Try not to show your shock and take a quick puff just to go along with things. No sense making a big scene. B- You spout off that your body is a temple of God and what they’re doing is terrible! C- Calmly say, “No thanks, it’s not something I want to do.”

2.

An older aunt asks you to do an errand, and you’d had previous plans to see a movie, something you’ve been wanting to see for some time.

You: A- Tell your aunt that you’d love to help her, but now isn’t a good time, apologizing for the situation. B- Ask if it could wait until after the movie, and if it can’t, try to arrange for someone else to do the errand. C- Ask your friends if they can see the movie at another time as your aunt really is special to you.

3.

A new family is moving in your neighborhood. As the moving truck is unloaded, you see cases of beer and notice that the mother curses at her four children. There doesn’t seem to be a father present. You: A- Stay inside your house. You obviously don’t want to get involved with those type of people. B- Send over a bag of hamburgers and leave it at the door, careful that the mother doesn’t know who it’s from. C- After a few days, introduce yourself and invite them to your church. Surely, it must be difficult to be a single mother with four kids.

4.

You’re stressed and busy. So busy in fact that you’ve forgotten to pray that evening. You:
A- Pray twice the next evening, even if that meant repeating prayers word for word. B- Tell God to help keep you focused and then forgive yourself. Prayer is an important part of your life and you feel safe in knowing God understands. C- Forget about it. A busy life has to take priority once in a while.

5.

A new friend invites you to her church — a church you’ve never heard of. You accept. While you’re there, the pastor preaches about the dangers of mixed-race marriages. Part of who you are is a tolerance for people, regardless of color. Next week, she phones and invites you again. You: A- Say “No thanks”, since you’ll be busy for the next little while. B- Politely thank her for the invitation, but that you were a little offended by the pastor’s racial statements. Make it known that you still want to be friends, however and that she’s welcome to your church if she’s ever interested. C- Tell her that her church is bad, and that you want no part of it — and maybe not even pursuing a relationship with her. Hang up if she disagrees and stay away from her.

Now total up your answers according to the following chart:

1. A- 1, B- 2, C-3
2. A-1, B-2, C-3
3. A-1 , B-2, C-3
4. A-2, B-3, C-1
5. A-2, B-3, C-1

12 – 15: Guilty as charged! You shine with the grace of God. People admire your integrity and goodness. You understand that helping people find the glory of God’s love isn’t in lecturing and judging them, but rather doing your best to live a Christ-like life by example. It’s obvious that your relationship with God comes first. Showing that to others is the best way to help nonbelievers find the power and love of Christ.

8 – 10: The evidence is a little shaky in places, though you’re on the right track. But remember that what attracted people to Jesus was how reached out to everyone, even those who others rejected and condemned because of the way they lived.

4 – 7: The evidence isn’t looking so great. Consciously examine how you react to others. You want to help others find God, but your delivery may come across as abrasive and self-righteous. Nothing turns people away faster than pointing out their flaws. Try to be a little kinder in your words and remember that Jesus loves good deeds. Share the goodness inside you begging to get out!

Below 4: Innocent, your honor! Why not make a list of why you’re a Christian and see if your words and actions truly reflect that. Ask God to show you the way — He’ll be sure to have several good suggestions just for you. With a little practice, you may end up with the other guilty- as- charged Christians!