Personal Convictions

Over the past 2 weeks at church, we have studied Romans 14 and it has really caused me to think. I’m not about to attempt to walk through this passage here, so go read it for yourself and ponder it, it is worthwhile.
Here’s a few verses that sum up the chapter(NIV):

11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

There are many things that the Bible clearly spells out how we are to be, but this passage is addressing the area of personal conviction, in other words, the gray area. There is no question about what the Bible spells out clearly and regardless of our background, denomination, locale or anything, these things are non-negotiable.

However, if I feel like God has convicted me to not drive my car on Thursdays, then I need to follow the Lord on that, but it is certainly not my place to push the convictions of my heart on other believers. It is not for me to convince my brother that he should be convicted in this same way and likewise, no one else should try to persuade me to not do this thing that the Lord has put on my heart. I need to follow the Lord and allow others to follow the Lord where He is leading them. As we are all seeking the Lord within our own hearts, we need to fellowship, encourage and pray for each other and collectively do the work that God has called us to.

There’s actually a point to technology in the church in all of this and I’ll address that in the next post.