Testing Your Metal

Have you noticed there are those who talk a good game but can’t back it up?

A Muslim man from the Middle East rants about blowing up military bases. He is drunk at the time and visiting a strip club. Terrorist or smack talker? Part of Al Qaida or a man who does not know his alcohol limits? Too early to tell.

Criminal talks about how many “rips” and kidnappings he has done. He looks like a chubby boy you could knock out with one punch. Cartel guy or is he living in fantasy world? Cartel.

An officer documents in a report he/she is an 11550 (under the influence of dope) expert and can “spot someone under the influence from100 yards away. I have made more than 1500 arrests for 11550 over the past three years.” Psychotic or a great cop? Psychotic

A guy clams to be a born again Christian. Reads Christian books, goes to church faithfully, has daily devotions, tithes heavily, prays without ceasing. Solid guy or is he playing the smack talking game of Christian in Name Only? Smack talker. Walked out on his family and turned on the faith.

Policing is the same. There are cops who go 10-8, grab a cup of coffee and a news paper, sit in the turn lane at Torrey Pines State Beach for an hour. Working. He complains when a radio call interrupts his breakfast. He is a cop in name only. Others hit the 10-8 button as they are making their first contact. They spend the day hunting criminals. Looking for arrests and taking care of calls.

A detective gets his share of “paper.” He reads the incoming reports and looks for ways to yellow sheet them. (close them) Some don’t even bother to investigate. Just stuff them in a drawer. When colleagues find a “source” to solve the crime spree, she tells him, “I don’t feel comfortable interviewing this guy.” It was too close to closing time.

Another detective comes in on Saturday to interview a 19 year old girl who is part of a white supremacist group moving heavy weight meth across the border, one condom load at a time. The detective turns the girl and discovers a wealth of information about “safe” jobs, Mafia and more. Sandy (detective) climbed out of the water, put away her surf board (waves epic) to sacrifice and come in for the interview. It enhance one homicide and possibly solved another. One is a detective and the other a paper pusher.

Can you tell who the real cops are? How do you know? They passed the test. See not everyone who dawns a uniform is a cop. Yes, they are trained and get paid as cops, but they are not really cops. They are cops in name only.

The Apostle Paul has a few things to say about this. LISTEN to him: “Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless of course if you fail the test.” 2 Cor 13:5

The question I pose to you is what is this test of the faith Paul talks about? How do you know if you are a believer and follower of Christ? So in this “Christian” nation where you go to church and grew up in a Bible believing family, are you truly a follower of Christ? Or are you a Christian in Name only?

Feel free to share you thoughts on how to test your faith.


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