Am I   now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12: 2 (NIV)

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

        

Conviction

I cannot contain my zeal

For your truth, I boldly stand.

Seeking your approval ONLY;

And not the approval of man!

 

As a member of the body

To function as my appointed task

To stand in time of trial

And to do all that you ask...

 

The world sees me as a threat

Legalistic, because I don't conform to their ways

Instead, I choose to walk by faith;

To abide by your will - through all of my days...

 

Satan beckons compromise

While you demand steadfast trust;

If serving you means sacrificing popularity,

Than, that is what I must.

 

Lord please help me in my expression;

To not 'burn' the ties that bind,

But to speak your love, and show your will

So that Salvation - Others may find.

 

December 16, 2005

By: me.

- There's a little tale about this poem...I've been often described as a person of "Deep Conviction"...I don't know if they mean I'm set in my ways, or that I'm willing to be a Daniel - and stand alone. (There's a chorus that pops into my head: "Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose firm, and dare to make it known. )

N*E*hoo - having a deep sense of conviction also means I have a tendency to come forth strongly when God appeals to my sense of holiness. (Am I talking in riddles here?!?!?)

My personal conviction (Biblically supported) of the church (and members thereof) is:

We are meant to reflect Christ in all of our lives, and all of our ways. (PERIOD!) We are not to conform to the world's ways, nor are we to compromise Christ' principles simply because the unsaved don't see things from the same perspective(read Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 4:4). In saying all of that - (I don't mean to be a "prudent hard nose"...) Others should see JESUS' love coming from us...

My only dilemma is: Where do we draw the line of compromise? How do we get the "complete" message of God's will across, without appearing as a complete staunchy 'hardnose'?(which brings me back to Galatians 1:10...)

...I'll answer my own question: God's Holy Spirit. "He lets us know!" (that's the beauty of conviction.)

Sure, you might have to take a little slack sometimes - for standing for what you believe in...Sure, others will sometimes "accuse" you of being legalistic; Giving you the line that "we're living by grace"...(and we are, but that doesn't mean we can ignore God's instructions!)...

Don't hate me because I have conviction. Hate Satan because he has you fooled!

As 'THE CHURCH' (the body of Christ) we have a responsibility to be the right example, in order to lead others to JESUS.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. Isaiah 35:8 (NIV)

I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19 (NIV)

Wow, that's really REALLY convicting!! I'm a christian 2, and I don't alwayz proclaim my love 4 Him the way I should. :-( So, thanx 4 the wake-up call!! :) Well I'll TTYL(I hope!)!!! BTW, notice my icon's Veggies!!(sorry, maybe my wallpaper will B soon!!) :)


Hi Syd!
Thanks for dropping by. Thanks for the encouragement! Sometimes, I wonder if I come across too aggressive; but at least God is using me sometimes !!!

What can I say? I feel "passionate" about the stand I take for God, and sometimes people mis-interpret me as being legalistic. I'm not.(Just in case you're wondering.)

wow that's a great poem. It really made me think about how I want people to see me and how I don't show my faith through my actions and that poem is one of the most encouraging things I have read in a long time and I'm going to write that on my binder so everyone that can see it in school will not care what others think but what god himself thinks.
So I just want to think you for the encouragement you gave me and I pray that others will read this and get something out of it.:):)