Are you convinced of what you claim to believe? Are you sure? Do you have a firm foundation in your beliefs? Can you be swayed away from what you claim to believe? Is what you claim to believe the truth? How do you know?
When it comes to the Bible what do you believe? For me, it is the absolute truth of what God wants me to know. I know that I know that I know that I know…God’s word is truth. I do not have to understand everything it the word of God and I do not even claim to, but God places His word in my heart and gives more and more knowledge of His word as days go on.
1“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1, NASB I believe God’s word. Hebrews 11:1
20 “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” “You have the words of we have come to believe and know eternal life. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69
I am convicted by scripture! His word is truth, I believe it, and I try to live it. When I fall down…my God is there to pick me up. I need to learn from my mistakes and change to what God says my life and ways should be.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:16-17
I (definitely) am in training. Every day is a training lesson. Sometimes in my life if God graded on the A-F scale I’m sure I had a lot of F’s. But I strive for the A’s.
Biblical Conviction: All scripture is God breathed. It is inspired by God Almighty and I can trust it. I am convinced! Through whatever I must face while living on this earth I know my Savior lives, that He can be trusted, and that He will come and get me/you at the timing of His choice.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 Why would I ever want to travel down the dark road when Jesus is the light of the road He has placed me on?
God’s word teaches us the way we should go, and it teaches us the way we should not go. It is our choice if we will be obedient to Him or not. When we do not do things God’s way there are consequences at some point…but it is you that makes that choice. If you want to live with the consequences of your actions in this life and definitely the next through God’s justice…you need to decide who and what you will do in life…follow God or not follow Him. He will not force you to go His way. The Bible teaches us where we have gone wrong, and what we need to do to go right. It is up to us to search the scriptures and then make our choice…..right or wrong!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 I don’t know about you and your choices, but I do know that I was in chains in this world and that Jesus removed them from me. He will do that for you as well. The chains are not physical ones…but mental, emotional, and spiritual. Best thing I ever did was turn my life over to Jesus and let His light shine through into my soul.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”2 Peter 1:3 niv
We must know those of whom we learn and be sure of their sources. Not all Pastors and teachers are honest and trustworthy…but God always is. Man lets us down: God does not let us down. One who is convicted is convinced of sin or error. In its simplest meaning, a conviction is something about which we are convinced. We are to use the Bible to such an extent that we are able to discern both good and evil Hebrews 5:14. The Bible clearly teaches that the conscience is not a perfect gauge of right and wrong. It can tell us that things are wrong before we know why they are wrong. It can act as an early warning system against sin. It can help us to establish personal convictions that guide us as we walk through the pitfalls of this life. Life can be quite difficult to maneuver. Stuff happens!!!
Conviction is a convinced conscience. God placed our conscience inside of us for a reason. We don’t know everything. When, as are born again believers, our conscience notifies us that the path we choose to go down is either right or wrong we must make a choice as to which way to go. You can choose to go the right way or the wrong way. When you are utterly convinced and convicted that the Bible is the right way then your choices are a lot easier to make. Why? Because inside each of us is a longing for God. The more we know God the more we want to please Him, and the more we want to make the right choices. As for me…I know my God lives and that His word is true. If you don’t believe it you won’t make the same choices I choose. You do not have to agree with me that is not my problem. I am to tell you the truth of God’s word and I pray you choose correctly, but the choice is yours to make. You also are the one who will have to live with the choice you make. I already made my choice. I choose to serve God! Do you?