The Arresting Officer

Common Christian-speak, in the form of a question asks, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Given the moral state of Western society and its ever-increasing overt hatred of all things Christian these days, getting arrested for identifying one’s self with Jesus Christ may well soon be a reality for many of us. So the question is timely; would there be enough evidence to convict? If the arresting officer entered most churches today, he might make some arrests based on what he heard and saw, but would they stand up in a court of law?

Some people get arrested for their “Amen” response to, And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free John 8:32. Is there enough evidence there to bring a conviction? No. Some people get arrested for their “Amen” response to, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me John 14:1. Is there enough evidence there to bring a conviction? No. Some people get arrested for their “Amen” response to, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me John 14:6. Is there enough evidence there to bring a conviction? No. Some people get arrested for their “Amen” response to Jesus Christ Is Lord……… Philippians 2:11. Is there enough evidence there to bring a conviction? No.

The church is the easiest place in the world for people to “Amen” any Scriptures quoted or sung for nobody gets tested in there. The tests come outside that environment in the home, the workplace, at family or similar social gatherings. If the arresting officer looks for convicting evidence in those places it could be “case closed” in a matter of moments for some. He’ll witness some deny knowing the truth when under pressure to the angry PC crowd. He’ll witness some troubled in heart over threatening current world events. He’ll witness some remaining silent when others say Jesus is not the only way or truth or life, or to God in heaven. He’ll witness some not objecting when others elevate Allah or Buddha to Lord status.

But I get ahead of myself! Some of the Christians in the church won’t get arrested at all. Why not? The moment the arresting officer speaks to them after the service is over, they’ll ask him what football team he barracks for. That will be evidence enough for him that their “Amen” earlier was a religious response, not a reality response. Others will talk to him about politics, climate change, social justice or equal rights. They’ll talk to him about anything or anyone except Jesus Christ. Never will the arresting officer hear one of those people declaring, For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified 1 Corinthians 2:2. In fact, he may not hear many preachers in the pulpit declare that one today.

The arresting officer may not be too far away from becoming a reality here in Australia if the radical LGBTQI crowd gets their way. Not only are they pushing for same-sex marriage to be legislated here, they’re also pushing for sex “education” to be rolled out across the nation’s schools. That is, “education” that teaches girls to bind their chests so their breasts won’t develop; “education” that encourages the students to cross-dress; “education” that teaches kids gay and lesbian sexual techniques; “education” that encourages kids to use either boy’s or girl’s toilets; “education” to integrate gender theory and sexual themes across all subjects. See my post: This School Program is Satan-designed and Satan-energized! 

And we, who stand against these plans because they offend God and because of the moral and mental damage they will certainly bring upon the participants down the track, are accused of prejudice and hate speech. The Premier of our State Government plans to expand the “education” program into all Government secondary schools by the end of 2018, “no questions asked!” How’s that for Communist/Leftist/Cultural Marxist arrogance. Anyone who speaks out against the “education” program and the Premier himself for endorsing it, he derides as bigots. Too, this Premier is a Roman Catholic; his kids attend Roman Catholic schools. I guess that means his kids won’t be participating in the “education” program. Rather convenient? Rather hypocritical?

Demonic sexual perversion will not be the only reason for Christians to encounter the arresting officer, should the Lord Jesus not return for His church soon. Those boldly proclaiming the Bible to be the sole and inerrant word of God are marked people. Why so? The Bible is the only book that unapologetically brings us face to face with our true selves. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. Quote: “The heart of every man; puts a cheat upon the man himself whose it is; it deceives him with respect to sin; it proposes it to him under the notion of pleasure; it promises him a great deal in it, but does not yield a real pleasure to him; it is all fancy and imagination; a mere illusion and a dream…….;

More: and what it gives is very short lived; it is but for a season, and ends in bitterness and death……” John Gill. In this day and age where nobody wants to be brought face to face with their true self and where almost everyone refuses to take ownership for any wrongdoings, no wonder true Christians are marked people! Jesus said it plainly, And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed John 3:19-20. There it is! Of our natural selves none of us would let the light of God shine in on what we truly are. That’s why God often uses a crisis to grab the attention of those He’s calling.

Those whose attention God has grabbed know they are marked people, so they’re not going to be too surprised if or when the arresting officer comes knocking. The holy word of God tells us in advance and the Holy Spirit of God prepares us in advance. No glory to ourselves here – all glory to God! Just like the believing Jews of old and the believing Jews during the forthcoming Tribulation, Jesus’ promising word remains true: Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say Luke 12:12. The Holy Spirit plants His word within, and He will draw it out at the time of need.

Important Note: Not all who “Amen” Scriptures in the church setting but deny them by silence, trouble or fear outside of it will continue their denial. The apostle Peter is our grand biblical example of that. If it was the arresting officer he was afraid of before Jesus’ death and resurrection, he was not all afraid of him after it, especially when he got baptized in the Holy Spirit a few days later. That was the turning point of Peter’s life and it is the turning point of our life. That’s what Jesus was referring to when He said to the disciples just before His ascension, you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now…… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…… Acts 1:5-8. 

Jesus also told us, without Me you can do nothing John 15:5. Again, just like the apostle Peter, many of us Christians don’t really believe that until tested. “I won’t deny the Lord Jesus,” we say, starting out on our Christian walk. And it’s not until we find ourselves silenced, troubled or in fear too much for our own liking that we begin to acknowledge the truth of what the Lord is saying and seek deliverance from it all. That’s the time when we might hear Jesus say, “Good. Now I can begin to use you!” To be stripped of self is the key to it all. How much of that is so in our life, only the Lord knows, but at least we know we’re on the path and by His mercy, grace and power we know there’s no turning back – or away from the arresting officer should he show up.

Times are hotting up for us Australian Christians, as they are for all Christians across the globe. Enemies of the biblical Jesus Christ and all those identifying with Him are coming out from under the radar. Everywhere we look we see God Almighty exposing black hearts and foul agendas. That is not to say the arresting officer is in the same league as this crowd, but carry out his duty he will, when called upon. So let’s together ask the question once more: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” I’m praying for you, would you also pray for me? Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you’ John 14:27-28.