(11/24/2012) How To Have Conviction

     Conviction and salvation are topics, today, along with more on how much of the Bible to believe. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Florence” (Level 1 with 80 points, a member since November 23, 2012) posted the following:



Christian girl seeking advice - please help?

i want to become a christian again but i just feel confused because i feel that there are so many religions, denominations of christianity out there - how can i have the conviction that my religion (christianity - petencostalism) is correct?



THE BATTLE AXE: Believing Everything? (11/22/2012)—One of the many ways Scripture gives answer to the question is seen in 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 (KJV). It is necessary to “believe everything” from the Bible only in the sense that the things written in Scripture are all interconnected and woven together as a single presentation of divine truth. For believers in Christ, reaching the point where you easily discern and recognize that this is so may require many years of spiritual development and growth. Obedience and trust are the primary mechanisms that energize the ongoing process of applying, including and integrating broader and deeper levels of sacred truth. Those lacking meekness that comes by the Holy Spirit insist that the Scriptures are a waste of time, cannot be understood, and are outdated and irrelevant. In doing so, they echo those holy angels in rebellion who were given at Creation the full measure of knowledge needed for the duration of their being and service. They do not learn and are distinct from mankind who, while finite and limited, is still fitted to acquire knowledge by experience and reflection. Through Christ, mankind is certain to prosper in their sincere quests for the inexhaustible, unchanging knowledge of GOD.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8: 3-9, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Asking Why (11/08/2012); Unto Caesar…? (11/09/2012); Suppose I Am Wrong? (09/28/2012); What Is Reality (a.k.a. Truth)? (09/29/2012); About Conversion (09/03/2012); By Grace (09/04/2012); Yet If I Judge (09/05/2012); The Young Less Religious (08/18/2012); Why Jesus Prayed (09/19/2012)



     In a confidence that Jesus Christ is alive and operating in their lives through an imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD, many mature Christian believers would dare to speak in the name of Jesus, and in obedience to promptings from the Holy Spirit, and would say something like the following:

     Beloved, you do not have to convince and persuade others, or have authority over the beliefs you maintain for yourself, or those held by anyone else. My ministrations that makes the Father visible for mankind is a work to transform human substance, and is primarily carried out now through the Holy Spirit that resides within a person. As a young believer, you do not need to see the Spirit on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis, always in you or always in others around you. You need only continue to ask questions as one who is teachable, seek to understand the Gospel more completely and correctly, and respond to the many opportunities for spiritual learning and growth.

     Salvation is more than a process of academic study that focuses upon the holy writings, or social interaction (i.e., church attendance) that centers in family, friends and intimate relationships. Awareness of divine presence, sacred process and godly purposes must be established. Also, an “appetite” (i.e., demand by the organs and tissues of the body) for the things of GOD must be put into place that operates in the same way as hunger, thirst, and cravings for companionship. Church attendance as well as private meditation and reflection should be guided by ones inner spirit, not by emotion, fantasy, imagination, and human reason. Given that salvation goes forward though multiple progressions that are continuous (e.g., fear of the Lord, regeneration, sanctification), only its beginnings are discrete and finite. All else may be spoken of as “eternal life.”

     Certainty, confidence, and trust are received as aspects of faith, where faith is a content of the person of GOD. As the actual substance of divine being, faith is inseparable from such matter as holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, love, righteousness, wisdom and wrath against sin. A believer may be absolutely certain that the elements of doubt, hesitation, shame and uncertainty do not come forth from GOD so much as they are from the flesh, the world, or the adversaries of GOD. Believers discipline their focus to grasp and apply the tools I have given for obedience to the Father, praise, thanksgiving and unselfish service to others.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, those who are saved, and born again” must “grow up again”, and face “growing pains.” Becoming a mature believer who is useful to ones community and the household of faith is no less difficult than becoming a mature adult, and establishing ones professional career. Become thoroughly familiar with the special gifts from GOD supplied for those who have a genuine desire to be his sons and daughters through the adoption of the Holy Spirit—his unfailing word shared as praise, proclamation, promise, and prophecy.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC