Convinced, but Not Convicted
Dr. Darrow Perkins
John 8:41-51
Have you ever tried to talk to somebody who has already made up their minds about something and the more you try to get them to see your side of it, the more they refuse? They've taken a stance that because they believe it to be a certain way, that is the only way it is. You try to tell them that the sky is blue, but because they've closed their eyes to the situation, they will not even consider what you're saying could be the truth. Jesus found Himself having to deal with people who, because of their traditions and what's been handed down to them, were convinced that the way they were living and how they were conducting themselves was the way it was supposed to be. The problem was that they had been exposed to a particular line of thought, a bad experience, or even something they thought was the right thing, only to find that they have closed themselves off from the truth. What has happened in Jesus' day is still happening today. People have bought into the idea that:
All I need to do is go to church on Sunday and I'll make it into heaven;
All I need to do is be a good person, and I'll make it into heaven;
All I need to do is be nice to people and I'll make it into heaven.
They have convinced themselves that all they have to do is follow the ''status quo'' and that's all that's required of them. The definition of the ''status quo'' is the existing state of affairs, it is to accept what's happening with head knowledge and not with heart or spirit knowledge. To be convinced is to accept or acknowledge with the head or with the mind. It is to follow your mind and not be open to the leading of the Spirit of God. Notice I say the Spirit of God because there are many spirits out there that want to lead us all astray. When I think of the ''status quo,'' I'm reminded of what Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:13-14 He said, ''13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is th ...
Dr. Darrow Perkins
John 8:41-51
Have you ever tried to talk to somebody who has already made up their minds about something and the more you try to get them to see your side of it, the more they refuse? They've taken a stance that because they believe it to be a certain way, that is the only way it is. You try to tell them that the sky is blue, but because they've closed their eyes to the situation, they will not even consider what you're saying could be the truth. Jesus found Himself having to deal with people who, because of their traditions and what's been handed down to them, were convinced that the way they were living and how they were conducting themselves was the way it was supposed to be. The problem was that they had been exposed to a particular line of thought, a bad experience, or even something they thought was the right thing, only to find that they have closed themselves off from the truth. What has happened in Jesus' day is still happening today. People have bought into the idea that:
All I need to do is go to church on Sunday and I'll make it into heaven;
All I need to do is be a good person, and I'll make it into heaven;
All I need to do is be nice to people and I'll make it into heaven.
They have convinced themselves that all they have to do is follow the ''status quo'' and that's all that's required of them. The definition of the ''status quo'' is the existing state of affairs, it is to accept what's happening with head knowledge and not with heart or spirit knowledge. To be convinced is to accept or acknowledge with the head or with the mind. It is to follow your mind and not be open to the leading of the Spirit of God. Notice I say the Spirit of God because there are many spirits out there that want to lead us all astray. When I think of the ''status quo,'' I'm reminded of what Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:13-14 He said, ''13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is th ...
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