By: Gen. Jim — 6/5/19
In my last article I wrote about STANDING for Christ… in the midst of anti-Christ opinions, persecutions, sinful activities… when your voice and actions are outnumbered. The Word of God has plenty to say about standing up for Christ in a Christ-less situation.
The Bible leaves no stone unturned when it comes to godliness, but who pays attention these days in a “politically correct” society like the U.S. of A.? We all have convictions that define who and what we are, not what we say – although this is important. The old saying “Actions speak louder than words” is true.
“The faith that you have, have as your own convictions before God. Happy is he (or she) who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned… because it is not from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:22,23).
Convictions determine our lifestyle/death-style and choices. Our lives are constantly on display. Of course many play the double agent game – catch me if you can! Many talk like believers but act like devils. We find them in all realms of society. Church is no exception; they may appear oh, so magnanimous to the public, but in private they display a malevolent behavior. I could spend hours telling you about these kinds of “Christians” – a misnomer! But you get my drift. God doesn’t want anomalies in His kingdom. They are not going to receive impunity on judgment day.
Since convictions have influences – good or bad – we should examine ourselves to see if we’re in the faith. 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us, “Let a man examine himself…” In Galatians 6:4 we read:”But let each one examine his own work…” Are our words/actions leading us into righteousness, a deeper walk with the Lord? Or are they so weak that our life is DOMINATED by the world and carnal nature? His standards of operations/codes of conduct are, as one described them, like guardrails that keep us from veering off track when temptations beckon.
At all cost we need to walk the straight and narrow. Too hard? Well, the broadway will lead us straight into HELL!! We must at all cost identify with Christ, not the world!! We must hold onto the Rock, the immovable Rock that is our pure foundation.
