Conviction
David Hume, 18th century British philosopher who rejected historic Christianity, once met a friend hurrying along a London street and asked where he was going. The friend said he was off to hear George Whitfield preach. "But surely you don't believe what Whitfield preaches do you?" "No, I don't but he does."
As I read this story, I was moved in my heart in a way I have come to know a vista article is coming on. Conviction is a powerful thing. When we really believe in something, it finds its way into our daily life. It affects our decision making and our decision making process. I believe that real conviction is not concocted by human will and practiced discipline. Those things may be elements of the process of expressing our convictions in everyday life; however, we must be careful to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The sanctifying power of God through the Word and by the Spirit of God illuminates our road.
By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalms 119:105 (MSG)
When the people heard Jesus preach, their response was "we have never heard anyone speak like this man." When we have a conviction, we are not able to overcome the power of truth. It owns us and directs our energy to living according to the truth conveyed by our conviction. Even when I have doubt, I am swayed by the powerful teaching and testimony of those that have been imbued with conviction that brings real change.
14 Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people every lived on their own. 16 Because of this decision, we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. 17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (MSG)
So, look at it! Look at what Christ has done. Gaze on His mercy. Take in His perfect love. See the Christ child this Christmas. Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!
Look and live. Merry Christmas.
Pastor Mark
David Hume, 18th century British philosopher who rejected historic Christianity, once met a friend hurrying along a London street and asked where he was going. The friend said he was off to hear George Whitfield preach. "But surely you don't believe what Whitfield preaches do you?" "No, I don't but he does."
As I read this story, I was moved in my heart in a way I have come to know a vista article is coming on. Conviction is a powerful thing. When we really believe in something, it finds its way into our daily life. It affects our decision making and our decision making process. I believe that real conviction is not concocted by human will and practiced discipline. Those things may be elements of the process of expressing our convictions in everyday life; however, we must be careful to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The sanctifying power of God through the Word and by the Spirit of God illuminates our road.
By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalms 119:105 (MSG)
When the people heard Jesus preach, their response was "we have never heard anyone speak like this man." When we have a conviction, we are not able to overcome the power of truth. It owns us and directs our energy to living according to the truth conveyed by our conviction. Even when I have doubt, I am swayed by the powerful teaching and testimony of those that have been imbued with conviction that brings real change.
14 Christ's love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. 15 He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people every lived on their own. 16 Because of this decision, we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. 17 Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (MSG)
So, look at it! Look at what Christ has done. Gaze on His mercy. Take in His perfect love. See the Christ child this Christmas. Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!
Look and live. Merry Christmas.
Pastor Mark