CONVICTION IS A PRIVILEDGE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

We can be assured that each step deeper into the Lord's Presence will reveal areas in our hearts which need to be cleansed. Do not be afraid to see yourself as you are. For when the Holy Spirit shows you your sin, He comes not to condemn, but to cleanse and deliver. - Frangipane

John 3:17 (NIV)

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world…

Then His Son said:

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. – John 14:16 (GW)

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I work and spend time with many folks who often cower at the presence of GOD and they mistake conviction for condemnation.  One of them stares back at me in the mirror.

They/we believe that even though they/we may have made some progress in an area or two that GOD is still frustrated with their/our remaining flaws and failures and it is just a matter of time before the whole house of cards comes crashing down again.

But that is just not the case. 

Jesus didn’t come to continuously condemn.

He came to save us.  

Save us from sin but also save us from our self-defeating attitudes and behaviors.  He took the sin at the cross and then provided the Holy Spirit to work with us on the obedience and the behaviors part.

Jesus wants to cover us completely; to give us the BEST of opportunities to walk in freshness every day, in newness constantly, in hope and possibility, never in condemnation or defeat.

Now is it always pleasant when we trust GOD’S presence and the Holy Spirit to reveal those areas where we “need work” so we can have all that?

No.

Is it needed? Yes!

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

For when we embrace the presence of GOD to refine us He will do just that and where does that lead? 

“In the WAY everlasting”, the WAY we should want to go and live.

That is the way I want to go, that is the way I want to live regardless if sometimes it is convicting and uncomfortable, regardless if sometimes it is the more difficult route.  

For we know...

…small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it. - Matthew 7:14 (AMP)

Therefore we should never FEAR condemnation in the presence of the LORD but rather WELCOME His conviction.  For the HOLY SPIRIT will search us and offer us constant opportunities to re-establish our footing on the narrow path.

He will offer fresh mercy and fresh grace when we ask for it.  

Remember the Holy Spirit is a HELPER not a HATER. 

And while sometimes the conviction can be strong, it is always out of LOVE!

Hebrews 12:6-7 (MSG)

My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children.

And…

…he who hates reproof is stupid. – Proverbs 12:1

So enter willingly into the convicting but never condemning presence of the LORD today.  Take the HELP of the SPIRIT as you journey and navigate.  

Be aware of the SPIRIT’S promptings.  

Embrace the guidance.  

Welcome the cleansing opportunities.  

Encourage the searching.

For:

“Conviction is a privilege! It means that God is working in you”  - Chappell

I love you all!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)