CONVICTION - PART 1



Since becoming a Christian almost 16 years ago I've encountered many areas of life where convictions need to be formed. Many of these are not explicitly talked about in the Bible. Some of these areas include education, birth control, driving the speed limit, etc. I'd like to write about what I'll call the evolution of conviction. How have I come to have certain convictions? There's a lot involved in this. How are we influenced to take certain positions? Why do we decide to have certain convictions but not others? Where should we hold firm our convictions and where should we give grace and latitude? Do our convictions cause us to be prideful and alienate others? And lastly and probably most importantly, should we hang out only with people who have the same convictions? (You know, the whole like-minded concept.) Over the years I've been surprised by how many convictions I've held but haven't owned. Does that make sense? I have taken positions on issues just because some new and popular teacher says so. I have become convicted about other things because I thought it made me look more spiritual. I wish I could say that all my convictions have come through rigorous study and diligent prayer. Nope. I have been guilty more than once (way more) of just following the herd. Here's the next best thing that's come out of the homeschool movement or Reformed theology so I better jump in.

Today I'm striving to get my head out of the sand in my own backyard. It can be quite isolating and stressful trying to make sure you have all the right convictions. What if I don't measure up? What does it say about me if I'm not doing everything right? What if I don't meet my own expectations? These are questions I've been thinking about and working through with the Lord. He has shown tremendous grace in showing me how idolatrous and prideful all of that is. He is showing me how truly messy life can be and how I can be OK with that. How I can be OK with myself just the way I am. Convictions are good if your goal in having them is "love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5) More often my goal in having convictions has been to be better than everyone else and to somehow attain God's favor and feel good about myself that I'm doing the right thing. Ouch.

I will write more about this soon.