Convictions

 

For us believers, God talks to us.  He uses His Word to speak to us.  He puts His desires in our hearts, gives us convictions on certain matters so that we immediately know where we stand without debate on whatever the issue is.  

What is a conviction?  Bible.org defines it as:  "Biblical conviction is really the product of three things that characterize the ideal Christian leader or the person of maturity: (a) a commitment to Scripture as one’s authority, (b) the construction of specific beliefs and convictions based on that authority, and (c) the courage to act on those convictions in faith."  

In past years of old up to current day, people have died for their convictions.  Others have been persecuted, lost everything they owned, been put into prisons, ostracized by family and friends, all for their convictions on certain matters.  They could have just said "nope, it's not worth it", but they didn't.  Their commitment to what they believed according to Scripture was too important to drop.  

We believers are in a time where we are going to have to stand on our convictions.  Our world is making it harder day by day to live according to how we believe Scripture tells us.  Each one of us has differing convictions, but what we hold dear in our commitment to Christ is worth the consequences.   

What do you hold as a conviction, that you are willing to bear the consequences in upholding, come what may?  What has the Lord put on your heart to hold dear in following Him?  

If we slip in one conviction, the devil will pounce on that immediately as a way to get to us.  "You gave in on that one thing, you can let go of your belief here too."  That may well come from the mouth of a government leader, a friend or family member, even from the body of Christ.  Stand strong in your convictions.  It doesn't matter the consequences--God is faithful.