Conviction

I have always described conviction as ideas or opinions that are set in concrete. They are not changed easily. Oh, they can be changed, but it takes a jack hammer to break up the concrete!

I have convictions related to my faith. I have things that I will not negotiate on. I might be called stubborn or bull-headed, but if I feel deep conviction in my soul, I won’t move off it.

Paul was quite a character in the early church. His life was changed on the road to Damascus in dramatic fashion. He became a huge influence in the early church and his faith was deep seated in convictions. He had created quite a stir among the Jewish community with his teaching about Jesus. He felt conviction that he should go to Jerusalem to report to the church leaders of his work. He was begged to not go. Check this out…

¹⁰ Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. ¹¹ He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

¹³ But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:10-14 NLT)

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” is a phrase that came to mind. Paul had convictions about his call from the Lord. He was “all in” with his call to reach and teach the non-Jews about Jesus.

I started reflecting on some of my convictions that I’ve held over the years. Some of my convictions were misplaced and had to be replaced. I had a strong opinion about a lot of different things that weren’t scripture, but I had been told they were. As I began to study the Word of God and pray, some things began to change. I wasn’t taught a lot about grace because the teachers who taught me were afraid that I’d take advantage of God’s Grace. I have deep convictions about the Grace and deep love of God. His Grace isn’t logical, but I’m so grateful. His love is reckless in human terms, but His love reveals His character. I’m so thankful for His patience with me and my convictions that were mis-directed or mis-guided. I want to see what He sees. I want to love like He loves. I’ve had to reset some of my convictions in concrete because they’ve come from my personal journey with the Lord.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

 

This is one my bedrock convictions for sure!

 

Pressing On!

Dwayne