Conviction’s Conviction

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Romans 14:3-6; 12-13, 23

3 The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on another’s servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  5 One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.  12 Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister. 23 But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.

When I was first saved twenty-six years ago, one of the first things the LORD convicted me of was that I was not going to celebrate the pagan holidays of our culture.  I was to come out and be separate.  Little did I know at that time how much persecution I would get for such a small decision that truly was only intended to impact me.  Similar convictions that I have held have included abstaining from alcohol, home education, monitoring media, parenting decisions and dressing modestly. Definitely swam against the current of mainstream in some of my decisions, but fully convinced in my mind about them.

I have also been on the other end where friends have had convictions that I have not had and I respected them for it. Some convictions are spelled out in Scripture for all believers while others are very personal, given by the Holy Spirit to individuals. When you set out to do something different than you have done before, even though it is between you and the LORD, it can make others around you very uncomfortable.  I am a peacemaker by nature, so I never wanted anyone to feel uncomfortable around me, but realized in time that it was something I had to trust the LORD with.

I was baffled why people would become angry at times when I chose silently to abstain from wine, for instance.  Unkind comments and judgment abounded and I had not said a word.  I realized then that my personal conviction was convicting another.  I had not judged the other person’s decision to imbibe their choice of alcoholic beverage, but they were judging mine to refrain.  Why?

Ultimately, we all want to believe we are “ok”; taken to an extreme, we want others to respect us for our life’s decisions. Heaven forbid that we would make a mistake.  The thing is, we all do.  Somehow, when another person is walking before God in a perceived more “orthodox” manner, the natural fleshly response is to judge that person as if they are weakened by legalism.  Ironically,the judgment given causes us to sin.  We can begin to dumb down convictions because they are uncomfortable and think that judging those with convictions we do not have will make us feel better, but it does not. Likewise, the one with a personal conviction can begin to become self righteous in that conviction and it can become sin, as well.

Over time, some of the earlier convictions we held might change.  I had such an occasion last summer.  Surrounded by neighbors who all might have interpreted my abstaining from alcohol as religiosity, I was taken aback by a stirring in my soul to take a couple of sips – to be relateable in that circumstance.  Far removed from the college party scene where peer pressure and alcohol were a temptation, this moment I was more effective to partake.  For those of you wondering, no, I have not imbibed since then, but I was fully convinced in my mind with my decision in that moment.  You see, I do not want to be legalistic about my convictions, either.  Much like a missionary eats what is put in front of them in a different culture, my desire was that they would not feel judgment, but love and acceptance from me in that moment.

Iron sharpens iron.  If we ever grow comfortable enough in our faith to think we have arrived or have more freedom than others, God help us.  Our freedom in Christ came at a high price – not so we could indulge in worldliness, but so we could be free from it.  We need to ask God how we are to walk before Him.  John the Baptist’s convictions were different than Jesus’, but both were obedient to God.  We can learn from one another’s convictions and encourage one another to draw nearer to God.  The conviction itself is not to be worshiped – but a tool to guide us to be faithful to our Savior.  We are not meant to be cookie cutter believers, but to have an intimate walk with God who knows us best and knows our weaknesses and strengths.  He knows what we need to avoid and what we need to cling to, and we answer to Him alone.

Only God Sees All

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Psalm 94:7-10 “They say, ‘The LORD does not see this; the God of Jacob does not take notice of it.’  8 Take notice of this, you ignorant people!  You fools, when will you understand?  9 Does the One who makes the human ear not hear?  Does the one who forms the human eye not see?  10 He is the One Who imparts knowledge to human beings!

Jeremiah 23:23-24  “‘Do you people think that I am some local deity and not the transcendent God?’ the Lord asks.  ‘Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?’ the LORD asks.  ‘Do you not know that I am everywhere?’ the LORD asks.”

Psalm 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

Psalm 33:14 “From his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth.”

Romans 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness.  19 Because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made, so people are without excuse.”

The riveting and terrifying scene from Lord of the Rings in which Frodo and Sam are walking through Mordor trying to end their quest to destroy the ring and its pervasive evil is heightened by the presence of “the eye” who is supposedly able to see all.  Yet, when the protagonist ducks, somehow he escapes the notice of this supposedly all-knowing, all-seeing god, which is representative of Satan.  Not so with God.  Unlike the eye of evil Sauron, who ultimately perishes, our God Who lives forever does truly see all.

Extremely grateful that God saw, noticed and saved me, I am simultaneously humbled that He does indeed see all.  He is not how those who do not know Him perceive Him – looking for an opportunity to crush us, or the opposite, liberal grace, winking his eye, saying it is okay to rationalize and live for the flesh.  He is ever watchful, seeing if any might come to repentance.  What patience, what longsuffering, what goodness and holiness is the character of our living God!  When we did not meet His righteous requirements, He met them for us.  When we continued in our rebellion, He punished us in love, hoping to open our eyes.  Still, we often choose not to see that He sees all.

The other day, one of my children said to me that he wished God would be as tangible to us today as He was in the Old Testament.  God appeared in miraculous ways – a burning bush, a voice, sat and dined with Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu (Exodus 24:9), and countless other interactions with Israel’s leaders and prophets.  Why does God choose to be seemingly invisible today?  The passage in Romans 1 makes it clear that God is very evident today, but He chose today to reveal Himself to us now through the Holy Spirit.  It is by faith that the righteous shall live (Romans 1:17), yet God reveals Himself to those who will draw near.  In this is a mystery – He is ever-present, and yet we need to seek Him to find Him.  His ways are not our ways. 

Our perception is that a Ruler would make His presence known.  Israel was looking for a king to set things straight and rule.  But our King instead chooses to die for His subjects and rule in our hearts, not a worldly throne.  He has us as His feet and hands and grants us free will to choose how we ought to live.  We might wish that God would demonstrate His presence bodily and eradicate all evil in this world, but we would be part of that eradication, too.  Oh, the wisdom and mercy of our living God.  He knows that none could ever be made righteous apart from Him, and although He truly sees all and appears disinterested with inaction, He is moving in mighty ways we cannot see in the spiritual realm.  Do not be mistaken – God does not tolerate evil.  The existence of evil is not condoned by God, and He will bring everything to account, but He will also have the precious blood of the Lamb covering those Who accept His free gift of atonement.

May the truth of God’s ability to see and know all convict us to repent and live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.  There is no fear in God’s love – perfect love casts out fear – but there is incredible grace and beauty in the knowledge of His accountability and a standard of holiness.  When we know we will be called to account, we stop quieting the convicting voice and start putting to death the misdeeds of the body.  He is watching you.  Will you draw near?

Oh, God, I am so amazed at You!  Thank You for Your mercy!  Your ways are so high above our ways.  Grant us understanding so we might live fruitful lives here in the fear of the LORD.  Help us to be Your voice in this generation and to open the eyes of all we encounter to You, wonderful You!