Some don't want to be convinced
Some people pass by the truth without noticing it. Others stumble on it. Still others learn something about the truth but are not willing to be convinced by it, for fear of having to change their way of life!
King Agrippa was in that last group. He didn't want to be convinced. He felt he had no need of conversion.
When Festus asserted that the apostle Paul's great learning had driven him mad, Paul answered: "I am not mad . . . I am speaking the sober [simple, plain] truth. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded [convinced] that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:25-26, RSV).
Then Paul asked: "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe" (verse 27).
Yes, indeed, King Agrippa believed, but was not willing to be convinced. "In a short time you think to make me a Christian!" he argued (verse 28).
He was happy to be a king, happy to live the way he did. No need for him to change anything — certainly not to become a Christian, which would have meant giving up many things in his life, turning away from lust and observing the teachings of the Bible. All that was too much to ask of King Agrippa.
Could this be your attitude? Do you sometimes deceive yourself, hoping God will "understand" when you know you are neglecting your part? Do you close your mind to certain aspects of the truth that would require changing things in your life that you don't want to change?
James wrote, "Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (Jas. 2:17, RSV).
The "works" mentioned in this verse refer to your part in faith. These "works" may require changing your habits, your ways of thinking and living. It may mean, for you, praying more, studying more or being a better example.
If you're not fulfilling your part, you cannot be convinced that God will answer your prayers. "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder" (verse 19). Yes, even demons believe, but they are not convinced to obey God!
The Disciples of Christ, before their conversion, were not really convinced. They only believed in Christ. Think of it! After spending three and a half years with Him, after hearing Him teach day and night, they still had doubts in their minds. They were not totally convinced of the truth. They lacked God's Spirit. They could go no farther than the limits imposed by their human minds.
The disciples were indignant when Christ told them that soon they would all fall away because of Him, and that "the sheep of the flock will be scattered."
Peter objected vehemently to this pronouncement. "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away," Peter assured Christ (Matt. 26:33, RSV).
Peter was sure of himself, wasn't he? Yes, but not fully convinced, even though he thought he was! He believed with his carnal mind, without having the spiritual strength to back his belief.
Christ told him, "Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times" (verse 34).
Once again, Peter didn't agree with that statement. He would prove his Master wrong! "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you," he answered (verse 35). Ironically, all of the disciples said the same thing to Christ. Nevertheless, when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Christ, they all "forsook him and fled" (verse 56).
However, the disciples' attitudes totally changed after their conversion. They became men of courage, faith and conviction after receiving God's Spirit!
Today in the Church of God we, too, have received this Spirit of faith and courage and conviction. We must allow it to convince us. Unfortunately, some just aren't using God's Spirit to help them grow in conviction.
Do you perhaps believe that if you personally witnessed a great miracle you would be convinced? Humans are prone to forget — even a miracle!
If you are completely convinced and convicted of God's truth, nothing can make you turn away from God.
You won't have any doubt that you are in God's Church and that Christ is the Head of that Church.
You can trust Him implicitly!
You have read many times the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man saw what was happening to him, he cried out for help for the other members of his family:
"I beg you, father [Abraham], to send him [Lazarus] to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment" (Luke 16:27-28, RSV).
Abraham answered, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them" (verse 29). The rich man wanted a miracle, hoping it would help his five brothers to be convinced. "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent."
That's human reasoning! That's what the world wants to believe. Christians, today, think they would repent and believe if they saw Christ return with power and glory! But they are mistaken. Miracles by themselves cannot convince anyone permanently.
As Abraham said, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (verse 31).
Likewise, if you cannot be convinced with what is already revealed in the Bible, no miracle can ever convince you! Actually, conviction requires that you do something — not that a miracle or anything else be done for you.
The miracle of your calling
The greatest miracle in your life took place when God called you and gave you His Spirit after your baptism.
As John wrote, "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent" (Rev. 3:3).
Yes, indeed, remember the way you were called, how it all happened, the miracle of being among the very few chosen ones!
Read and study the Bible with this in mind. Learn how the men of God fought, how they endeavored to overcome their doubts and difficulties.
Yet, in the final analysis, it was always God who led them to victory. They didn't win their battles — God did. He wins all of our battles. But we must be convinced of it and do our part — fulfill our obligations.
If you are completely convinced and convicted of God's truth, nothing can make you turn away from God. You won't have any doubt that you are in God's Church and that Christ is the Head of the Church. You can trust Him implicitly!
As Paul wrote: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:35-39, RSV).
This is full conviction. It is living faith!