I was sent to read a blog written about convictions and it was so, so excellent. I sat with my mouth practically agape, wondering how someone could frame my own struggles and thoughts SO well. I have wondered the same sorts of things myself and wanted to think aloud with you all. So, if you have the time, give it a read and then come back....

One of the first things that came to my mind was Hebrews 13:8:  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. If Jesus is the same as he was and forever will be, then how can His ways possibly be swayed by whatever the culture d’jour is or what the popular worldview mindset is, no matter where people live? The fact is that there IS a “right” way (HIS way) and we ought to be open to having our positions challenged and strengthened (or changed), depending on what the scriptures teach. Just because we don’t have it all figured out here (1 Corinthians 13:12   For now we see through a glass, darkly...) does not mean that we will all discover a God later who has “shades of gray”. He constantly reinforces through scripture that “I AM”. Jesus said, “I AM...(John 14:6)... the way, the truth, and the life...” God is not “a” way, but the ONLY way.

Now someone will be quick to point out that we are not all the same, that we have been given varying talents and gifts. This is all true, but they are supposed to be used to further the kingdom of God, not our own wishes, whims and desires. Sometimes what we think of as “talents” are really only pet hobbies that we have gotten very good at. I have also heard much of Christians crying out for the “liberty” they feel Romans 14 gives them. Much of the time it is really just a passage taken out of context and used as an excuse for Christian license. (I do find it amusing how many people then simply go the other way and denounce other passages Paul wrote!) I believe the point of Romans 14 is that we ought to be more concerned about our own accounts than to be fussing and losing sleep about the choices that others are making. It does NOT mean we are to somehow embrace this notion of “true for me, not for you” nonsense. That is a cornerstone of current worldview thinking. Bringing up and talking about different convictions ought not to bring out the boxing gloves, but rather work to edify another’s walk with Christ.

Like it or not, how we think IS formed by our upbringing, our culture, and our worldview. It is always profitable to spend time and effort (2 Corinthians 10:5)  casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. The entire book of Hosea has as its thread, “consider your ways.” If you have no friends who are willing to humbly question (and there is a difference between a sincere question and an accusing one) who, what, where, and why you do whatever it is, then methinks you really have no friends at all. Proverbs 27:6   Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

It’s almost silly to say the scriptures aren’t enough to convince Christians of their errors, but many of us act that way either ignorantly (not reading the Bible) or rebelliously (thinking “that was then, this is now”). Even if it were so, again, Jesus is the same. Certainly we’d have no excuse in seeing the fruit of a godless society that not only operates outside of God’s Word, but relishes in the “freedom” of doing so. Here is a succinct comment that says it all: “Grow up and think for yourselves instead of basing your life choices on supernatural superstition involving a creepy torture death cult and a book written by primitive bronze age desert-dwellers.”

Is it no surprise then, that:

*public schools do NOT produce godly children. From Pastor Gleason, “If you're going to send your kids to Caesar, you're going to get Romans back."

Doesn’t this seem obvious? And if not, the sad statistics speak for themselves (just hunt around the Barna Group for all kinds of eye-openers).

* feministic and humanistic propaganda have actually succeeded in OPPRESSING women through high rates of abortion and divorce. Here is an interesting view of how the economy has suffered as well.

* pushing birth control and vaccines is obviously a miserable failure. TWENTY-SIX percent of American girls aged 14-19 have at least one s*xually transmitted disease. Mark my words: the backlash won’t be against Bratz dolls, mini skirts for 3 year olds, and red-hot s*xy prom programs, it will be against any and all teaching of abstinence, and be led by someone affiliated with Planned Barrenhood.

* we have an ever increasing variety of “pseudo-Christianity” where spirituality is based on what sounds good, what feels good, what will “work for me”. It is based on tolerance (which, face it, really is not), and dumps the whole idea of TRUTH for whatever will buy me personal peace. Or material goods. Or both.

So what of this idea of “feeling judged” by someone else’s convictions? To that I say, “Well, why do you feel judged?” If we really are about the business of chasing after God and His ways, then we shouldn’t mind the offense of getting our toes stepped on. It is an opportunity to step aside, rub the pride out as needed, and ponder the wounds. Would you not yourself tackle someone before they stepped in front of a Mack truck they could not see? What if the truck wasn’t really there? Would you really be mad at your friend for caring enough to risk looking foolish?

The real question is: what will you do about feeling judged? Will you in a huff go seek out Scripture to bolster your own view? Or will you cry out to God to humble and teach (or reteach) you? I cannot tell you how many times I have begged God to show me (again and again and.....) what He thinks of *whatever* because I have been lovingly (or not) challenged. Sometimes we’re so sure we’re on the right path that we stubbornly just keep moving forward. Sure, we may eventually get to God’s house, but not without greater travail, pain, regrets and hardship. Peace will be elusive. It is NOT “follow His lead” OR “have a meek and quiet spirit.”

What to do, then, really, when confronted by another person’s convictions? I say these things to remind myself, most of all:

* PRAY! Humbly! Ask God to show you. James 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. If you’re afraid to do this because you’re fearful of His answer (“I don’t wanna know”), it’s a sure sign you are not where He wants you to be.

* Read your Bible. Oh, please, do this. I don’t mean picking verses out of context to support whatever you want supported. I mean, choose a book, like 1 Samuel, Hosea, 1 Corinthians or Philippians. And read it as a whole over time, picking out the verbs, the “therefores”, the “ifs” the “I am’s” Because God IS the same, His message will not change.

* Pay attention. Don’t dig your heels in so deep that you become unteachable and unreachable. Don’t be so sure of your position that you are unwilling to revisit how you got there. And, especially, if bad fruit is falling about you on the course you’re on, give heed!

* Don’t be frustrated if the answers come slowly. Sometimes we just are not ready for the next step. God doesn’t expect His children to run before they can walk. Be patient--WAIT on the Lord.

I’ve revisited my own positions and convictions many, many times and know that as I grow closer to Jesus, they may either deepen or change as He teaches me and reveals my own errors (of which I know are many!). My greatest fear is not that I will be proved wrong, or will be made to look or feel foolish (those have happened plenty!), but that in my choices and actions I will have either failed to glorify God or (worse) completely missed the opportunity to do so in this very short time I’ve been given.

Press on, sisters.

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