How Strong Are Your Convictions? Will You Fight for Them?
Every Christian should have a set of convictions that are based on the Word of God. These convictions should define who we are, how we live and testify to our faith in Jesus Christ. But, let’s take a moment to ask the question, “Do our lives truly exemplify our Savior, or do we modify our convictions based on the environment”? Others, might try to hide their convictions, or adapt them to fit in and go with the flow, they always result in failure. But the Christians who live daily for Christ, displaying unwavering faith, holding firmly to their convictions and are willing to suffer for Christ will find an indescribable joy and peace in their daily lives as the Holy Spirit fills them. The Book of Acts, sometimes referred to as “The Acts of the Apostles” is a thematic book which provides us with the life and mission of the Christian community in the age of the apostles. It is a glimpse of followers of Christ who were willing to die for their convictions. Let’s take a moment and evaluate our convictions.
Consider this fictional story; “You are asleep with your family, there is a crash, and your home is invaded by the government police, yelling and screaming at you. They accuse you of being a part of an urban terrorist group. They search your home and find religious materials and Bibles, considered to be a threat to national security. Your entire family is arrested, jailed and without a trail, you are sentenced to death. “A poll finds that, in just two years, the number of Americans who think Christians are facing growing intolerance in the U.S. has drastically increased.
Sixty-three percent of respondents in the LifeWay Research survey said they agree or strongly agree that Christians are facing growing levels of persecution, up from 50 percent in 2013. The bulk of that surge comes from respondents who said they “strongly agree” with the statement, a number that increased from 28 percent to 38 percent. A similar number, 60 percent, said religious liberty is on the decline in America, up from 54 percent” www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016)
Each Sunday when you attend church, go to work, shop or merely interact with society or shop do you expect to be persecuted for your faith? “Early Christians expected to suffer. Christ had died on the cross, so there was no higher honor than to imitate that death through accepting martyrdom (witness by one’s blood). The Jewish legacy portrayed, in writings such as the Fourth Book of the Maccabees, the glorious nature of death rather than a renunciation of Israel; even without this, Christianity would inevitably have held the martyr’s death in high esteem”. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-27 Peter expressed it, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:16)
Fellow Christians, it is not “if” persecution will occur in America, it is “when” Franklin Graham has preached for years that the storm is coming. He now preaches, “The Storm Is Here”. As the early church begins to form we see Peter and John preaching the gospel, they were jailed beaten and released with a warning by the Jewish Sanhedrin not to preach the gospel anymore. Their convictions were so firm that they risk death and continued to preach boldly the message of Christ and they continued to preach until Peter was put to death and John was exiled.
Our goal today should be to be as Peter and John. Our convictions have a powerful influence in the world today. If we stand strong, hold the line, regardless of the circumstances, constantly meditating on scriptures and walk in the Spirit constantly, God will move and use us in a great way. What conditions might tempt us to compromise your convictions? It is time, do not be reluctant to stand for your convictions, release all fears of rejection, and loss. Go boldly before the throne of Christ, pray for courage and strength to fight the spiritual battles and persecution that await just around the bend. I pray God equips you with His full armor.
