“OUR CONVICTIONS-OUR DEFENSE”
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21). It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22). Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23). And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
ROMANS 14: 20-23
Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve.
Contrast this wishy-washy approach with the mindset of the great men and women of Scripture. Despite many years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles. As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure Israel’s survival (Genesis 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (see Daniel 1:20). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God.
As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions can withstand the changing winds of opinion and the persuasive arguments of opponents. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid conflict.
Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live by godly conviction. The Bible has much to say about the most important aspects of your life. Through prayer and study, allow Him to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions.
-IBC
Comments