Wednesday, May 10, 2006

May 10, 2006

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thes 1:4-6

What another tremendous weekend in the life of PCC. As we gathered in two locations this weekend, God was gracious to bless our community with His presence! What a special All Church Retreat we experienced. I am already working on my Yorkshire accent in preparation for next year’s retreat.

Church, we are not just called to share the Gospel, we are called to live it. This is expressed most accurately through the prism of Holy Spirit-inspired convictions. The Apostle Paul, when recounting how he reached out to the people of Thessalonica, told them that it was not just a spoken message, but a spoken message in the context of a supernatural life! I cannot understate the value you bring to the marketplace when you place, at the top of your priorities, being a person of character.

Your character matters and this week, we will be focusing on the role of character and convictions when it comes to Life @ Work.

What are convictions? Convictions are the expression of God’s view on a particular area or issue that one wholeheartedly embraces and acts upon with determination. Constructing convictions starts with discovering what God has to say about an issue that one is wrestling with. The good news is that God has not left us in the dark to discover His heart…he has not abandoned us (John 14:18), but has left us with His Spirit and His Word.

There is NO substitute for a daily commitment to the study of and submission to the word of God when it comes to growing your character. There is a difference between growing old in Christ and growing up in Christ. Years do not automatically translate into maturity when it comes to walking with the Lord. Hence, I submit to you the following equation for a life that leverages time to develop convictions, or a life of character:

Right Thinking + Time + Pressure + Faithfulness = Character

Right thinking is a mind that filters life through an eternal, Biblical framework. Time is the arena God provides for us to grow our character. Pressure is the fertilizer of character (there is no such thing as passive convictions, they will always be put to the test!); pressure is what God will allow for us to have our character strengthened and developed. Faithfulness over time seals the character and provides us with a life that stands as a testimony to our peers. Our faithfulness (or lack thereof) is our legacy that we leave for the next generation; it is what people will have on their minds when they sit at your memorial service.

Are you growing in character? Is Christlike character lovingly and humbly (and quietly!) on display when you go to work? What would have to change if you took the above passage to heart and to work and could only share the Gospel with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction?

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