WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONVICTION - Sadell Bradley -062117 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

""Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct ."- Thomas Carlyle HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED? We find this question on job applications. Future employers want to know your criminal background, and many do not hire ex-convicts. CONVICTION is a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.  This week the African-American community is reeling over the lack of conviction in the case of Philando Castile (left) of Minneapolis. A disproportionate number of black men have been killed by police officers with very few convictions. Castile was a beloved school food service worker, was not committing a crime, had his girlfriend and child in the car and was licensed to carry a gun. In Cincinnati, tensions are rising as we await the verdict of the Tensing trial to see if there will be a conviction in the shooting of Sam Dubose. There's a lot of talk about convictions these days: CONVICTION is also a firmly held belief or opinion, or the quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says. The idea that black men are dangerous is a conviction for some, as is the notion that police officers are mainly good and should be supported, but some of them are corrupt. We tend to hold to our convictions.    Today, I want to talk about conviction from a Biblical perspective. I believe if Christ followers prayed for more Scriptural conviction, there would be less discussion about natural convictions in our world. Jesus preparing His disciples for His death, burial and ascension, taught them about His replacement as their teacher, comforter and advocate on the earth, the Holy Spirit: But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. (John 16:7-9, NLT) CONVICT elegxo Greek - means to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose, prove wrong/guilty, rebuke or discipline. Jesus said it was the Holy Spirit's role to prove the world to be in the wrong about it's sinful state and it's refusal to accept Christ as King and adapt the ways of His Kingdom.  Because there is little conviction, our world runs rampant on its own whims that are filled with wicked lusts and pride, (1 John 2:16) and appetite for violence. (Proverbs  13:2)  The King James Version of that last verse says that transgressors will EAT violence. The Holy Spirit was sent to show us we are in the wrong, and to convince and persuade us of righteous behavior. His purpose is not just to make us feel sorry for what we've done or for what we should have done but did not do: but to bring us to repentance - turning from evil. Wouldn't it be something if Believers, in addition to posting our opinions and marching, actually petitioned the Spirit of TRUTH to do a convicting work everywhere we see wickedness or injustice in this world.

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