1 Thes. 1:5- “When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you…”

Jeremiah 10:23-24- “I know, GOD, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life. So correct us, GOD, as you see best. Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us.“

Convictions are strong beliefs on which we will not hesitate to act even if a high price has to be paid. People have walked into gallows because of their convictions. Convictions demand commitment. Commitment can cause revolutions and radical changes in individuals and the world. Whether it has been men of God or men of this world who initiated changes; all of these men were men of deep convictions. They were willing to act, react and sacrifice all they had for what they believed in.

TRUE

Now the question is: are all of these convictions based on truth? When our convictions are based on a myth or a mirage, they will ruin us and those who follow them. Many young and vibrant lives were ruined and made havoc throughout history due to the convictions that were followed and were later proven to be wrong. There was not any truth in all what they believed and broadcasted. Meanwhile the damage was already done!

However, it was difficult (and at times it seemed almost impossible) to turn these men to see the truth. In order to see the truth one has to look through the eyes of God. Jesus gave us the face of God and His face has eyes that are filled with deep rooted humility and dependency on God.

Christ proclaimed and proved that He is the TRUTH and apart from Him there cannot be any TRUTH! While convictions based on our experience and expectations can bind us, it is the Word of God (when it is rightly understood) that can liberate us. If our convictions are based on nothing but the truth, Jesus’ transforming power is in action in our lives!

TWISTED

Saul of Tar shish who later became Paul is an example of strong convictions. He persecuted the Church with enormous zeal and enthusiasm until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Proverbs 19:2- “Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.”

Jesus spent a considerable amount of time with the disciples to unravel the truth. Still some of the disciples missed the truth while showing incomparable zeal. For example, Thomas’ reaction to Jesus statement regarding Lazarus’s death is an eye opener.

John 11:13-16- “Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap. Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him." That’s when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, "Come along. We might as well die with him."

Thomas understood the whole conversation in a negative way. Yet, Jesus had a desire to rise up Lazarus. Convictions can be so many poles apart; as far apart as life and death.

Convictions that are based on partial truth and petty obedience can ruin us. King Saul who refused to destroy the pagans, paid the price by loosing his position as king.

TEST

Now we are called on to search the truth and find out where the bases of our convictions lie. The Berea’s were nobler than the Thessalonians, since they searched the Scriptures to find out if what Paul proclaimed as the Truth was in the Bible.

Act 17:11-“They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul’s message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. “

Another way of knowing truth is by allowing God to search our hearts and

expose our wrong motives and evil desires.

Psalms 139:23-24- “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for

yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong– then guide me on the road to

eternal life. “

THROW OURSELVES

The crust of the whole thing is to know the truth and when we know it we must throw ourselves into it. All of our convictions have to be based on eternal truth. Jesus is the TRUTH. Apart from Christ, there can not be any truth. Everything must be viewed through the eyes of Jesus; whose eyes are streaked with tears. Every activity is hiding in the shadow of the sacrificial cross.

Biblical convictions will only hold value before the King and the Kingdom of God. The enormous energy and enthusiasm that is expended apart from Jesus will be addressed as follows by Jesus on our “Damascus Journey”:

Act 9:5- “He said, "Who are you, Master?" "I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down.”

Hunting and hurting the One who gave His life for us is an unimaginable thing! It was haunting Paul and he was known as the “Great Apostle.” In Paul’s own eyes, his past experiences of “hunting and hurting Christ” made him inferior to God’s people.

Lord, give us convictions of steel that are based on Scriptural truth. Allow them be viewed through the eyes of the Master. Let us keep eternity in mind. After all, we are looking for the King and the Kingdom. The rest will vanish like a vapor. Investigate our lives. Test our thoughts. Now guide us to the “Golden City” that is kept in store for those who hold Your convictions.