Colossians 3:23-24
After having made excuses for years (me, speaking to myself here) have you begun to be truly convicted about something?
Many things?
Some examples below (actual conversations I've had with people), though they may seem to be small, are actually a blessing. Building blocks, if you will, to mold and create right thinking and firm conviction.
So here are a few conviction making moments for the sake of conversation...
•Speeding even if just five miles over. Justification - Everybody does it. No big deal.... they'll give you 5mph to 7mph over the speed limit. Conviction - the speed LIMIT is the LIMIT. It is the LAW!
•Taking packets of sugar from the restaurant....I'm out of sugar at home... Justification - They buy in bulk they won't miss it. Conviction - This is actually STEALING
•You get to your car and realize there is something in your cart you didn't pay for. Justification - Oh, it's only $$$$ they can just write off the loss....I'm already running late. Conviction - again, this is STEALING.
(I've actually been made fun of by friends and store clerks for this conviction)
Conviction - the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth.
I have oftened wondered if I was stopped for going 37mph in a 35mph zone if I would try to argue myself out of wrong doing. If the officer said he tracked me going 37mph how could I say, "Okay, but technically that's not speeding". How do I argue my point? Do I, personally, go exactly 35mph or 33 or 34 just to be sure? No. But I am prepared for the consequences that come with.... willfully....ouch..... breaking the law.
Willfully - with a stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants, regardless of the consequences.
Oh man....I am really stubborn....
Some would no doubt argue that I would be justified about being angry......."Wow, that officer must be having bad day!" or "Must not have met his quota this month." "That's ridiculous!! It was only 2 mph over!!!" Conviction: Am I angry at him for not letting me off the hook with a warning or because I got caught? 😳
How many times in all my years have I tried to explain something away, tried to free myself from guilt, argue my way out, when, in fact, I'm guilty?
Then my thoughts take a bit of a "kingdom" turn.... because conviction is multi-faceted.....
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Romans 1:20
This verse is saying that God's qualities have been displayed. They are seen, clearly seen, by the believer and unbeliever as well. One commentary says this:
"He has given a general revelation that is obvious both in creation and within the mind and heart of man. Men cannot charge God with hiding himself from them and thus excuse their irreligion and their immorality.” (Lenski)
Clearly (not to use God's word out of context) this is saying that NO ONE can claim they have been uninformed. That no one told them...therefore, they have an excuse. You don't want to have that discussion before Jesus on judgement day.
As a believer I am also without excuse. I'm not to behave as if I don't know. I now have responsibility.
WHATEVER you do.....and THAT is where I should be looking! Do it with ALL my heart, for the Lord.....NOT for men. Where am I looking? To please man? Myself?
I get it! It's a hard concept....but here's a perspective. Would I rather do right, do my best, in the eyes of God or work through all the "why did I do thats"?
I've beaten myself up so many times.....mostly because I got caught or because I was embarrassed I got caught. But the longer and more passionately I walk with my Savior the stronger the conviction and the softer my heart becomes. My desire is to please Him. That's conviction at it's deepest level.
Oh, how many times have I said, "that's good enough"? Actually hurts my heart because I know (conviction) I did enough to get by but it wasn't my best.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1
Do not cause anyone to stumble? 🥺
Have you ever thought you've caused someone else to stumble? A fellow believer? I have. Whether I actually did or not... or intended to or not...is not the point. Have you ever spoiled your witness in the presence of someone who doesn't know the Lord? I'm sure I have. These thoughts (convictions) really make me sad...to think I may have caused a fellow kingdom worker to stumble in their walk or someone who has yet to enter the kingdom to say, "That's not what I want" because of my behavior. 😢
Everything counts! Itty bitty or life changing. Conviction!
Walking with the Lord is not easy. It comes with immense rewards and much responsibility.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48
Walking in the world, at best brings temporary happiness at worst, temporary everything.
When I truly believe (and I do) that this world isn't all there is AND the world to come is SO much better, guaranteed....why would I (anyone) choose otherwise? And why would I not want everyone to know the peace that comes with that knowing? Circumstances in this earthly life are hard and confusing and not what I want or desire but Jesus says, "Fix your eyes on ME."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3
Jesus ENDURED THE CROSS for ME and YOU. Let that sink in. ❤️
As a believer I am also without excuse. I'm not to behave as if I don't know. I now have responsibility.
WHATEVER you do.....and THAT is where I should be looking! Do it with ALL my heart, for the Lord.....NOT for men. Where am I looking? To please man? Myself?
I get it! It's a hard concept....but here's a perspective. Would I rather do right, do my best, in the eyes of God or work through all the "why did I do thats"?
I've beaten myself up so many times.....mostly because I got caught or because I was embarrassed I got caught. But the longer and more passionately I walk with my Savior the stronger the conviction and the softer my heart becomes. My desire is to please Him. That's conviction at it's deepest level.
Oh, how many times have I said, "that's good enough"? Actually hurts my heart because I know (conviction) I did enough to get by but it wasn't my best.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1
Do not cause anyone to stumble? 🥺
Have you ever thought you've caused someone else to stumble? A fellow believer? I have. Whether I actually did or not... or intended to or not...is not the point. Have you ever spoiled your witness in the presence of someone who doesn't know the Lord? I'm sure I have. These thoughts (convictions) really make me sad...to think I may have caused a fellow kingdom worker to stumble in their walk or someone who has yet to enter the kingdom to say, "That's not what I want" because of my behavior. 😢
Everything counts! Itty bitty or life changing. Conviction!
Walking with the Lord is not easy. It comes with immense rewards and much responsibility.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48
Walking in the world, at best brings temporary happiness at worst, temporary everything.
When I truly believe (and I do) that this world isn't all there is AND the world to come is SO much better, guaranteed....why would I (anyone) choose otherwise? And why would I not want everyone to know the peace that comes with that knowing? Circumstances in this earthly life are hard and confusing and not what I want or desire but Jesus says, "Fix your eyes on ME."
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3
Jesus ENDURED THE CROSS for ME and YOU. Let that sink in. ❤️
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