If anything is lacking in the lives of today's Christians, it is conviction. It seems that we've allowed society to influence us to the point where we're "over-tolerant." With the acceptance of the "unity-in-diversity" philosophy, we have become people who show no actual conviction. God's word teaches us to be people who have strong convictions. Therefore, it is important that we understand what conviction actually means.
Let me begin by illustrating my point. Someone told me of an incident where two older Christians were parents of a son who was living in fornication and planning to marry his live-in girlfriend. He called his parents to inform them that he was going to be baptized into the Methodist church and invited them to attend his baptism (a sprinkling service). The parents (members of the Lord's church) actually attended the service. Although they knew it was an unscriptural baptism, into the wrong church, for the wrong purpose, they attended anyway. My friends, where in the world was their conviction? How could they attend this counterfeit service? Not only did they attend, but they failed to object to the erroneous baptism.
When a gospel preacher was told about the event, he said: "You didn't attend, did you? Tell me you didn't attend. How could you?" Astounded that these weak and tolerant Christian parents were willing to go along with their son's wrongdoing and not object in the least, he showed true conviction and rebuked them. Amazingly, they were telling the preacher about this event because they wanted to let him know about their new daughter-in-law's mother, a Catholic, who refused to attend the wedding because it was in the Methodist church. It turns out that the Catholic mother has more conviction than these true Christians!
American Heritage Dictionary defines the word conviction as "A fixed or strong belief." Another part of the definition carries with it the idea of convicting someone, as is the case when a jury convicts a person who is guilty of a crime. The person has been "convicted" or found guilty. All of this definition centers on the idea that one is "convinced" of a truth, has a firm belief in that truth, and is thereby, convicted.
The Bible teaches that God's word does the convicting. In John 16:8, speaking of the Holy Spirit's inspiration of the apostles and the ultimate New Testament gospel, John wrote, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Because the Holy Spirit did what Jesus promised, we have God's word, we recognize our guilt, and we are convicted by the gospel of Christ. It proves us to be sinners and in need of salvation. God's word is not reluctant to convict us, and we must not be reluctant to use it to convict others.
Holy men of God must rise to the occasion and speak out against what is wrong. In Titus 1:9, we read about the duties of faithful elders and that they must be men of conviction: "...holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." Elders are commanded to challenge those who contradict the way of truth.
We're all duty-bound to be people of conviction. If we who are Christians fail to exercise conviction, the world won't know the way of truth or right from wrong, and souls will remain lost. God expects His people to be convicted by certain truths and to vigorously uphold these truths. What made the apostle Paul so effective? In Galatians 3:22, he wrote, "But the scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." He believed the gospel to be true and that Christ is the only means to salvation. Paul again said, in 2 Timothy 1:12, "For this reason, I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day."
Brethren, each of us will see times when we are required to stand fast, be brave, and be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13). The time will come when we must tell people the truth, even though it may cause them to view us with contempt (Galatians 4:16; Ephesians 4:15). When this happens, we will have shown conviction about God's word and what it says.
Is it right for people to abort babies? Is it right for people to refer to men as "Reverend"? Is it right for people to divorce and remarry for any cause? Is it right for men and women to be homosexuals and lesbians? Is baptism pouring or sprinkling? Did Jesus establish denominations? To all these questions, we answer a resounding, "No," because we know what the Bible teaches. We understand that these types of beliefs and activities are sinful. Are we willing to state our convictions to the world? We must state the truth without fear or intimidation. We must state it because we believe in the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.
An unwavering faith in the truth of God's word will give us the inner strength to stand up, be counted, and not allow someone's fickle nature to sway or weaken our beliefs. Conviction allows no room for "political correctness" or "waiting to see which way the wind is blowing." Rather, it provides us with the bravery we need to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Sometimes, we must ask, "Have you no conviction?"
Brother McPherson has touched on a quality that is sadly lacking in the Lord's church today. Some among us are afraid to take a stand on anything. Why? I might be misunderstood; I might offend someone; or worse yet, I might lose my status among the brotherhood. Others are ready to take a stand at the drop of hat-without completely thinking through the practice in question. Where is our balance? During the time of the early church, did men have to wonder where Paul, Peter, John, Stephen, and the other apostles stood regarding truth and Jesus Christ?
Every gospel preacher, when questioned about his understanding concerning a spiritual matter, needs to be ready with an answer. One of today's catch phrases is: "I'm still studying the matter." A preacher once said that to me, and I asked him how long he'd been studying the matter. His answer--three years. I guess he's a slow learner. Let us not be afraid to stand on the platform of truth and be people of conviction-always ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. (KMG)