1John 4:13-21 ESV By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Suppose you were dragged into court on suspicion that you were a practicing Christian, which happens to be illegal where you live. The prosecutor has to present a convincing case against you using the evidence collected during a detailed investigation of your life. She plans to call witnesses, some of whom are your family and your closest friends. She will have the opportunity to interrogate you on the witness stand to see if she can get a confession. After all is presented and the trial goes to the jury, would you be convicted and sentenced for your crime of giving incontrovertible evidence that you are a Christian?

What would the prosecutor look for in your life that would provide evidence of your faith in Christ? Well, let’s use John’s criteria in the verses above for providing evidence. Has God given you his Spirit? Does your life reveal that you show an intense interest in spiritual matters, spiritual issues, spiritual teachings, and spiritual activities? When Daniel’s fellow governors felt threatened by his stellar performance of his duties and decided to find a way to “bring him down”, they got the king to issue a decree that no one in the entire realm could pray to any other than the king for 30 days. They then stationed themselves at the window of Daniel’s apartment because they knew he would pray to his God three times a day as usual. And he was convicted and thrown to the lions because he would not relent and alter his spiritual behavior for even a day, much less 30 days. Are you more interested in your spiritual life than you are in the pleasures, desires, appetites and pursuits of your physical life? What would you postpone or cancel first, some worldly pursuit or a spiritual commitment? Are you setting your sight “on things above” or are you entangled in “the things below?”

What about your testimony concerning Christ? Would you be convicted by your words? Do you believe and confess openly that he is the Son of God, the Savior of the world? Have you given testimony of your gratitude for his love for you? Are you ashamed or afraid to let people know that you are associated with him and with his crazy followers? Jesus told his disciples that if they were ashamed of him in this generation, he would be ashamed of them before his Father in heaven. Do people know and would they testify that you have such a firm commitment to Christ that they could not persuade or even compel you to go against your belief in him and that you refuse to be involved in practices, habits or associations that displease him? Are you vocal in your faith? Do you follow Christ unashamedly and unapologetically?

Do you exude confidence in your spiritual life? Are you certain about your relationship with Christ? Do you have assurance that he loves you and that your love is growing because of his love for you? One of the reasons that John Wesley began to question his relationship with Christ and doubt that he was saved was the fear he experienced in the face of possible death. He did not have the firm conviction that he was saved, but he saw Moravian believers who did seem to have a calm assurance during the same circumstance. He was fearful, and they were faith-filled. Do you have the confidence that, were you to stand before God on the day of judgment, you will hear his words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Do you have confidence that your name is in “the book of life”? Do you have the assurance that you will not be punished, because he has taken your punishment upon himself?

Do you show a love for others that reveals the love of Christ in you? Or do you show hatred, envy, jealousy, and contempt for others, even fellow Christians? Can people point to acts of kindness, words of kindness, and sacrificial service in your life? Is your life characterized by loving acts and words? Do you take the abuse of others and pray for them or do you seek to retaliate against them and exact retribution. Do you seek to be understanding, thoughtful, and caring in your approach with others? Is there incontrovertible evidence that you are learning to love as 1 Corinthians 13 describes it? Would people say that you are more loving today than you ever have been?

After a thorough examination of the evidence, the witnesses, and your own testimony, what verdict would be delivered?

Guilty as charged, according to the undeniable evidence!

Not guilty due to insufficient evidence!

The verdict has eternal consequences!