Father, help us to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the conviction on our hearts that comes from encountering You. Let us see Your love in the discomfort that comes with correction. Father, help us also to see that this same conviction that brings us life stirs up anger in those who do not follow You. May we stand firm in the truth of Your Word & Spirit. Amen.

John 16:1-15
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. ² They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. ³ And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. ⁴ But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹ concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

I know I have felt this before, experienced the anger and frustration of others who do not walk with God and who do not share the convictions He builds up within us. Some people get prideful over stirring up anger from people they would call ‘heathens,’ the irreligious, or the stagnant, nominal “Christians” who just want to be pandered to rather than actually follow Jesus.

And while both are walking in delusion, you and I who follow Christ are never going to be the ones who bring conviction into the heart of another person.We may have well crafted discussion points, and a well thought out apologetic in regards to the life of a Christ follower, but unless the Holy Spirit intercedes, conviction will not come.

Human beings are not the vehicle for conviction, simply for the truth of God. He sees conviction come. Our anger or frustration will not convince them of the truth. We cannot bludgeon people with the Gospel, or pound right thinking into their heads. We are never told to share the truth in this way. Listen to Peter & consider our role:

1 Peter 3:14-16
¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect*, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
*accent mine

We deliver the Gospel & the truth, ready in season and out of season with gentleness & respect. We stand as witnesses for Christ, wherever God may place us, and we trust in Him to reach hearts with what is said. For those who know, love & follow Him, it will be a comfort, for those who do not, a point of agitation. We will be walking in the footsteps of Jesus, in the rhythms of His grace.

Matthew 10:16-25
¹⁶ “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, ¹⁸ and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. ¹⁹ When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. ²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

²¹ Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, ²² and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ²³ When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. *accent mine

May we be counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ & the Gospel. Be faithful in conviction, stand firm in the face of rejection & be generous in comfort. God has given us what is ours to do, trust Him to do what is His. Be faithful & do not waiver. Be gentle & do not lash out in anger. Walk in the rhythms of grace.

Father, help us to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the conviction on our hearts that comes from encountering You. Let us see Your love in the discomfort that comes with correction. Father, help us also to see that this same conviction that brings us life stirs up anger in those who do not follow You. May we stand firm in the truth of Your Word & Spirit. Amen.