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Confession and Conviction?
From Texas history comes the story of the conversion of Sam Houston. At one time, the Texas hero was called “The Old Drunk.” While he was governor of Tennessee, his wife left him. In despair he resigned as governor and tried to escape his problems by going to live among Cherokee Indians. He stayed drunk much of the time. It is said that the Indians, as they walked through the forest, would have to move him out of the path where he lay in a stupor.
Later, he went to Texas, where he became the great hero of the Texas revolution when he routed General Santa Ana’s Mexican army. Houston’s battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!” helped win independence for Texas. He later married the daughter of a Baptist preacher and trusted Christ, but he still had some of his old tendencies. One day as he rode along a trail, his horse stumbled. Houston spontaneously cursed, reverting to his old habit. Immediately he was convicted of his sin. He got off his horse, knelt down on the trail, and cried out to God for forgiveness. Houston had already received Christ, but God was teaching him to live in fellowship with him moment by moment. And as soon as the Holy Spirit made Sam Houston aware of his sin, he confessed it.
The bible dictionary defines conviction as the process of being condemned by one’s own conscience as a sinner because of God’s demands. The idea of conviction is a major theme of Scripture, although the word is rarely used. The agent of conviction is the Holy Spirit (John 16:7–11); and the means of conviction is either the Word of God (Acts 2:37) or God’s general revelation of His demands through nature and people’s inborn consciousness of a sense of right and wrong (Rom. 1:18–20; 2:15). The purpose of conviction is to lead people to repent of their sins (Acts 2:37–38 and to turn to God for salvation and eternal life.
True Christianity is something that isn’t added to our lives for name identification or social status. It is in fact something that becomes our lives. If we have a real passion for God’s word and allow the Holy Spirit to embrace our hearts, we will periodically feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon our hearts. "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:" John 16:8 (NIV)
It is comforting to know that God isn’t through with any of us yet. We are all in process of refinement. There are days I feel that God must wonder how much more refining needs to be done to get Jim where He wants him to be.
God desires fellowship with His creation. He desires that we be in the world but set-apart from letting the world run our lives. Our Father seeks people who impart righteousness (holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard).
The Apostle Paul tells us, "Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romans 4:21-30 (NIV)
I don’t often talk about guilt, shame, or conviction. I believe many of us get enough of that from memories of our past or legalistic Christians. The greatest thing about thinking about our past sins is knowing that for those who trust in Him and call upon His name they will be saved from their trespasses. Grace is unmerited favor that only a Holy and Forgiving God can provide.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)
And so my friends, I continue to give praise to God for the conviction, confession, and grace he allows each one of us to experience.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me." Philippians 1:3-7 (NIV)
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)
“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." 1 John 2:28 (NIV) We thank God for His listening ear, the conviction that can bring about change, and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to change. And like Sam Houston, let’s remember to drop to our knees.
Have a good week. Jim |
