Convictions without courage can ruin you …

We’ve been taught to respect the man or woman “of conviction.”

“Oh, he has great conviction!” someone says in almost a whisper filled with awe.

For some reason, people think there’s something special, almost holy, about having convictions. But here’s a greater reality: to not have the courage to act on genuine convictions is to fail utterly, both morally and spiritually.

James went right to the heart of the matter when he wrote, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17).

There are a lot of “armchair Christians” who sit and observe life, just watching what everyone else is doing. They’re fast to point out what’s wrong, and what should be done. Then they put the chair in full recline position and bask in their knowledge of the truth.

The problem for them is that knowing does not equate to doing. You do not gain the blessing that comes from living out your convictions by simply having convictions that you don’t act on. To have deeply held convictions that you do not apply courage to act on is a failure to do what you know you should.

Excuses can never erase that space between our God-given convictions and our lack of courage to act. Only action can.

Which are you choosing in your life: the courage to act on your convictions? Or trying to cover the sin of not acting with excuses?

Scotty