Many people are convinced that their opinions are absolutely true, but very few hold convictions regarding the Truth, especially to the point where they are willing to suffer personal sacrifice. And we rarely have opportunity to meet people who, when faced with supreme trials of faith, have the strength of conviction to choose the path that Jesus taught us to follow.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
I had the privilege, if we can call it that, of meeting with two precious souls in the home of a preacher. He had called to see if I might be able to study with a couple concerning their marriage. I went, expecting to encourage a couple that I knew was having difficulties in their marriage. But the couple that arrived was not the couple I expected; rather, it was another couple. What followed was an experience I had only heard about from other preachers.
The husband related that years ago, he had been married, but that there had been a divorce. At the time, he had been drinking heavily, and there were incidents in his life of which he simply had no recollection. One was the reason for the divorce. He had come to believe it was scriptural. But about a week before we met, an incident, (which I will not relate here,) caused him to seriously consider his past. He called the woman to whom he had been married and asked her why they had divorced. She told him it was because of his drinking, and his unfaithfulness. He was devastated, as was his wife, to whom he has been married for a number of years. They have two children, ages 12 and 7.
After the husband recounted this, while his wife sat by crying, he said that he believed he knew what he needed to do, he just wanted to hear it from another Christian. Both of them had been intently studying Matthew 19, especially vs.9:
"And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."
We also studied and discussed other scriptures related to this subject.
They both reached the same conclusion: they needed to separate for the sake of their souls. After many tears, and some prayers, the preacher made, in essence, the following statement: "What I see here, beyond the heartache that we all feel, is the salvation of two souls. And in that there is great joy!" (cf. Luke 15:7,10)
After Jesus had answered the Pharisees, "His disciples say unto him, if the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, all cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (Matthew 19:10-12)
The willingness of these two precious souls to set aside feelings and emotions and follow God's law displayed strength of conviction unlike any I had previously witnessed. On numerous occasions, I have had opportunity to study with couples concerning God's marriage law, but none were willing to actually practice what Jesus taught. This couple, with tears flowing, sought to live what Jesus taught:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33)
Strength is defined as "Firmness of will, character, mind, or purpose; moral courage or power." Conviction is defined as "A fixed or strong belief" (both from AHD). This couple exhibited a fixed belief in the Lord's teachings. Each exemplified moral courage that is lacking in too many. They will experience a sacrifice that many are called to make, but which few will make. It is written;
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
It takes strength of conviction to do what is right, while so many in the world, even some within the Lord's church, advise us to do the very opposite. It takes strength of conviction to make great personal sacrifices for the Kingdom's sake, for the Lord's sake. It takes strength of conviction to be a "light" in this world, amongst brethren, and before our children.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven... Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12)
In Paul's inspired letter to the Ephesians, he wrote: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." (3:14-19)
True conviction comes from God, from His Word of Grace (cf. Titus 2:11-14; Acts 20:32). Those who are "rooted and grounded in love" will triumph over life's trials. How strong is our conviction?
"As for God, His Way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. For who is God save the Lord? or who is a Rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." (Psalm 18:30-32)
May we, like this young couple, have the love of God in our hearts, and the strength of conviction to walk the "narrow way" that leads to eternal life.
"I will go in the strength of the Lord God." (Psalm 71:16)
Unfortunately, the same thing happened during the time we were in Las Vegas. After they studied the subject, the couple came to me. Sadly, they determined to go across town to a church that taught "baptism washes away unscriptural divorces." They understood the Bible teaching, but they were unwilling to make the necessary sacrifice. It comes down to exchanging a physical relationship for eternity in heaven with God. Sad choice! (KMG)