Skip to main content

I Was Convicted.

  I know what it is like to be on trial and hear the words no defendant desires to hear - "We find him guilty!" I know what it is like to be bound in chains, and discarded from those you hold dear and love to enter a life of uncertainty, of fear, of knowing you are where you are because of your own decisions and actions, torturing yourself knowing the time you spend incarcerated could have been better spent, could have been spent in joy and happiness and love with a future to look forward to.
  Yes I know what that feels like. Not because I was a criminal and actually sent to prison, but because I was a child of God and turned my back on God and the church purposely. When I left the church in 2009, I didn't leave it suddenly, it happened over a period of weeks. At a time of weakness, at a time when I was not a mature Christian, I let evil into my life. Not once, but several times. Not in a huge ugly heap but with small little things that chipped away at my soul. I knew I was sliding downward even as I sporadically went to worship services.
  It was in those worship services I attended though that I learned and felt the anguish of being convicted. Convicted as I listened to the words of the songs being sung. Convicted when I partook of the Lord's Supper when I knew in my heart I was lost. Convicted when the heat of the words the preacher spoke singed my heart. Convicted at the invitation because I knew I was headed for death for not surrendering to Jesus.
  But especially the songs. The songs haunt me even today. For now my soul and spirit has clawed from the mire of a sinful world, I have been released from my prison, I have returned to the fold. I sing with joy and love the words of the hymns. And now I am revived, reborn, renewed and redeemed. Some songs are almost impossible for me to sing now, not because they convict me but because of the joy and love that wraps and protects my heart and knowing how close I came to eternal death.
  I was always told of how easy it is to fall away simply by missing a worship service. How easy it is to miss a second service after missing the first one, easier still a third service, then a fourth and on an on until one day you just stop coming to join the family and worship God altogether. Don't think "that's not me," or "I'm not worried about that," or "It's just one time." Falling away always starts with  "just one time."
  If I had an absolutely, positively, can't miss, sure-fire way to make a million dollars with virtually no effort you'd probably listen up and follow my instructions wouldn't you? Well, I have an absolutely, positively, can't miss, sure-fire way for you to live a joyous life both here and now and in eternal life. You see, there is another type of conviction. One that pierces your heart and soul. One that makes you fall to your knees and cry in joy and happiness. Will you listen? Will you follow my instructions? See me at worship services this Sunday and I'll tell you how. Hope I see you there.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Existence of Truth and Error in Religion

(By David Hersey) The first question we must address is whether right and wrong exist in religion.  Now this may seem like a simple question to answer for us here today, but  Many people today claim that sincerity is all that matters—that  as long as  a person believes something, God will accept it. Yet Jesus said,  “ 15   Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”  Matthew 7:15 The very existence of false teachers shows that truth and error both exist. This lesson examines New Testament warnings about false religion, man-made doctrines, and the danger of sharing in or approving falsehood. Truth and Error Both Exist Jesus taught that truth is absolute and can be known. In John 8:31–32, He said,  “ 31   If  you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  32  Then you will know the truth  and the truth  will set  you free.” John 8:31-32 I have a fr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tolerant or Intolerant?

We often hear the battle cry in the news and in social circles today that we are to be tolerant. We must tolerate this person or that one who is different from us. But is tolerance a good thing? Well, that depends on just what it is you are tolerating. If a person is doing something contrary to God’s will we should love that person but we should not tolerate their sin. But isn’t that contradictory you might ask? No. If you are a parent and you have told your child to not do something but the child does it anyway do you just turn your head the other way and let the child do as he or she wishes? No. A good parent will discipline their child because they love that child and have their best interests at heart. In other words, the parent is intolerant of the bad behavior but still loves the child. Through discipline and instruction the child will learn to do what is right. In the same way, Christians should be intolerant of sin but still love the sinner.   Take for example the life...
Post a Comment
Read more

Gratitude - A habit of the heart

The scripture I’m using this morning as a basis for this lesson is I Thessalonians 5:16-18 which reads –   “ 16  Rejoice always,  17  pray continually,  18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This c oming Thursday, we’ll gather around tables filled with food and surrounded by family. We will think about the four “F’s” – food, family, fellowship, and football. Our national Thanksgiving holiday puts us in a frame of mind of being thankful for all we have, a day to remember all that Jehovah has done for us. Thanksgiving though is not just a day on the calendar; it’s an attitude of the heart and for Christians it’s an attitude which we should hold onto and celebrate every day. Notice in the scripture just read - when the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he told them to  “…give thanks  “ in ”  all circumstances;” I Thessalonians 5:18a   Paul did not say “for” all circumstances, he said “...
Post a Comment
Read more