The virtue of our convictions and decisions are being tested as the world shakes.
For example, some have grappled with tears over leaving their career due to the government’s vaccine mandate. It’s painful to watch. However, it highlights a greater need to me.
What is a truly righteous response to this issue and others, that comes from faith? Because trusting releases God’s presence and wisdom. Isaiah says, you shall “be led forth in peace.”
Decisions can go wrong or right
Sadly, every day we witness poor, unwise, rash choices resulting in marriage break ups, separations, insolvencies, hospital admissions to name a few.
Of course, the flip side is many prosper as they choose right. Proverbs says, “Wisdom has established her house.”
I’d love to see more people making big life decisions overcoming feelings alone, engaged in God and His word of authority.
Be like a tree planted by waters
May this article spark personal reflection.
How are we becoming like the man in Psalm chapter 1 who is victorious avoiding being a victim?
To do so they reflect continually on godly intentions through His word, and who they are in God. They become like a “tree planted by the waters, whose leaf does not wither in the time of heat… prospering”
The necessity of deeper convictions today
I feel the escalation of many natural disasters including a recent earthquake in Melbourne are signs from God to help us develop godly convictions.
The US GSA confirmed the earthquake’s epicentre location between nearby Jericho and Enoch Point.
Jericho in the book of Joshua, means ‘sweet aroma’, and was the first stronghold to be broken and taken. I sense it speaks of turning to God and allowing brokenness.
Paul wrote about that to the Corinthians, while walking with God like Enoch, as a godly witness in the end times (See Jude).
Just a side story, I once ministered to Indigenous Australians. Each open-air, outreach night, we saw many miracles, accompanied by an incredibly tangible, beautiful, sweet aroma-perfume pervaded the air night after night. It’s such a joy to serve God!
5 things to consider in constructing convictions
The polarising effect of different convictions about food threatened church unity shown in Romans chapters 14 and 15.
Some with strong faith ate all foods while others just vegetables due to their law-upbringing.
This can be applied to many situations when we differ in convictions with others. Think of husband and wife, employee, and employer etc….
1. Look to God be our judge and God’s word as the referee.
Have you felt judged or criticised by others who don’t agree with your view? Are people’s persuasions becoming oppressive? Take refuge in God and his word as your referee.
A referee determines the outcome not how loudly the crowd screams.
Paul wrote in Chapter 14, “The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not … Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?
2. Do what you do “unto the Lord.”
We may be very fearful if we don’t do what everyone else is doing, feeling like a social leper.
However, we are to prioritize living to please God not man, as all must face His judgement seat. Live unto God who values who he made you to be and your voice. And Isaiah says, “every knee will bow.”
Defining moments in history often start with one person seeing things very differently.
And the realty of God’s justice can be experienced today.
My recent sermon touched on how God judged Babylon after he used it to chasten Israel. Someone shared, “Wow, so real.”
They experienced their unrighteous, heavy-handed managers over them suddenly all sacked, while they were commended, receiving a wage rise. They had stayed humble, had been witnessing, and were praying for their salvation.
3. Each person should “be fully convinced in their own mind” and “everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Don’t do things mechanically. However, avoid being double minded and getting stuck in unbelief; don’t miss God’s blessings.
A person I know initially with vaccine hesitancy, prayed and moved in faith to get a jab. Jesus had told them, “When they drink deadly poison, they shall not see harm.”
4. We must make “every effort to do what leads to peace, not causing others to stumble.”
I am fully vaccinated. I sense the anti-vax sentiment is largely hinging on mistrust of government due to a perceived heavy-handedness. It hasn’t been easy.
However, Romans chapter 13 empowered my decision. Despite imperfection God moves through government.
So, being sufficiently informed, despite not knowing absolutely everything, I had God’s peace to get vaccinated with the Spirit’s witness.
My deep conviction is that covid is real and very dangerous and God uses vaccines too!
I also believe in this season God is sifting and readying his church to walk in greater divine authority by coming under authority, which many are failing to see. David learned submission to Saul.
Importantly, I have kept good relationships with unvaccinated folks helping them feel accepted, minimising any stumbling.
Of course, things can be quite complex, however the way of faith is our victory.
5. Unite for glory.
Invariably we will find that all have different convictions; we are all on a journey.
We can naturally so easily split apart and go our own way.
So God calls us to accept one another to enable unity (Romans chapter 15.)
Paul marvellously quoted Psalm chapter 18 coming to fulfilment, “I will praise you among the Gentiles.”
God the Father’s heart had always been for faith extremes, of Jews and Gentiles to coexist. Oneness “glorifies our God of mercy” through Jesus, Messiah.
Will you let God’s oneness be glorified through you?
People will see our love and be won over.
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many, suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, in 1990 for about four years. He worked as a pastor-life coach with Hope International Ministries from 2002 to May 2023, playing a key role in raising up leaders and elders for the local Melbourne Hope church, which lead today. Mark has also been active in conducting yearly trips to remote Indigenous communities, bringing teams for training and outreach, which he initiated from 2015. He also established a salt and light ministry to empower saints of influence in the marketplace from 2017.
Mark is also an artist and an author and has written two books which are both a collection of his own paintings, photography, and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia- With a voice to release your giant potential within,’ which are available now on booktopia.com.au and at leading book retailers. He has been counted among some of Australia’s best authors on several occasions through Dymocks since 2014 and continues to be a motivational speaker in various community groups, organisations, and churches.
He is currently pioneering his itinerant ministry to bless Indigenous people and empower the body of Christ, while working as an artist, author and speaker.
