Convictions 2.6.22
Howard Hendricks says, “A belief is something you’ll argue about. But a conviction is something you’ll die for.” Knowing what to do (knowledge), when to do it (wisdom), and how to do it (ability) is absolutely worthless without the conviction to actually do it (obedience). People without conviction follow the crowd. That’s why Paul warns us not to let the world squeeze us into it mold. As they say, if we don’t stand for something, we’ll fall for everything.
Ironically man of us have strong convictions for weak issues such as football, fashion or food while have weak convictions about major issues, such as what is right or wrong in the eyes of God. Convictions actually help us grow spiritually. But realize that growth takes both time and effort. Without a deep conviction of our need to grow spiritually, we often become discouraged and give up. Jesus’ life was dominated by a conviction that He had come to earth to do His Father’s will – nothing else!
Without clear, strong convictions we’ll never attract the level of commitment that Christ deserves in our life. We must burn with a conviction that advancing the Kingdom of God is our calling and reason for being. As Vance Havner once said, “Jesus demands greater alliance than any dictator that ever lived. The difference is, Jesus has a right to it.”