Conviction of sin

    One of the main things that prevents us from growing in Christ is that we have learned to ignore conviction of sin. Conviction of sin is simply acknowledging that our actions are wrong and in direct disobedience to God. Ever since Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, we have been playing the blame game. We want to place the blame for our sin on others and not take accountability of it ourselves. And Christians are just as bad about this as everyone else, if not worse. But we should be the first ones to admit that we are sinners. We should NEVER think that people will look at us and see perfection. According to James, people are supposed to know that we're believers because of the love that we show. Take a moment to read Luke 6:27-36, this does not call us to act "holier than thou" when dealing with others. Jesus told us that we are to love our enemies and pray for them. We are to pray for God to convict them of their sins, yes, but even more than that we are to show them that we love them, not just "love them in a Christian sense" where we just don't strike out against them, but stay as far away as possible.

    Why am I talking about this in regards to conviction of sin? Because what the Bible calls sin, we take for normal behavior that people should understand. If someone mistreats you, we have a "right" to be mad at them, talk about them behind their backs, and get back at them as we see fit. Those are blatant sins according to Scripture, but we take it for granted and experience little to no remorse for our actions. As Christians we need to compare our life to Scripture, not to the actions of those in the world around us. The lifestyle and behavior that this world finds acceptable pave a way straight to Hell. Our very being should be completely changed and we should stand in stark contrast to the world around us. People should look at us funny because of how we live our lives. But now Christians act just as worldly as those around us because we have made excuses for why we act the way we
do.

    I call you to seek conviction of your sins. If you are comfortable in your sin, do not fool yourself into thinking that you are following God. 1 John 5:3 is very explicit "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." John 14:21 ties these together too. If you are not following God and are convicted of your sin, repent and seek His forgiveness. Do not be fooled into maintaining a status quo with those around you. Heed Jesus' words in Matthew 7:14, "for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." I challenge you to give voice to Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"