The 4-Levels of conviction

What made the disciples of old fervent? What was the experience of the early church?

One of the many struggles of Christianity is captured in Jude 3,

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints

Nothing is more important than passing the torch of the gospel to the next generation - and the next generation passing it to the third generation; and continuously till infinity and beyond. And not just passing it on but making sure it is undiluted, void of compromise and capturing what Jesus said in John 14:12,

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Notice the focus on greater works. Jesus actually intends we go above-and-beyond what He did. So why is this not seemingly happening? Why does the Christianity of old always seem to shine brighter than the present? And why have developed nations who once championed the gospel now have more irreligious people than Christians?

The answer may be be found in John's gospel as captured in 1 John 1:1,

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

So John here was speaking from a multi-tiered level of conviction. He was expressing that His knowledge of Jesus was a combination of four areas. These four areas is what made his christianity and that of the early church formidable. These four areas as stated in 1 John 1:1 are,

• John heard about Jesus

• John together with the other disciples constantly heard the preachings and teachings of Jesus

• John heard the stories Jesus told

• John saw first hand the works of Jesus

• John saw daily the zoe life of Jesus

• John saw the struggles and successes of Jesus

• John prioritised the study of scriptures (Acts 6:4).

• John's writings showed a man who researched to know God's plan through Jesus (Jn 1:1-5).

• John's life showed Christ was formed in him (Gal. 4:19).

• John experienced the Holy Spirit like Jesus.

• John did the works of Jesus.

• John's miraculous life showed the resurrection power of the cross & the fellowship of the sufferings of Jesus.

So John's conviction to follow Jesus was so strong and based on these four levels - no wonder his life and that of the disciples made so much impact. They passed on the torch of Christianity with so much fire and grace. In fact, their convictions were so strong they were burnt in stakes, crucified, sawed, dragged to death, thorn by lions.... facing all sorts of brutality with unflinching faith. Those who saw their convictions were motivated to be Christians.

My proposition is that, we, the current crop of christians must 'contend for the faith once handed over to our fathers' which is evidenced by the four convictions. And if we are successful we will pass on the gospel with grace and intensity to the next generation.

How strong is your conviction of Christ? Have you heard, seen, looked-into and experienced Jesus as a person? If you have not then seek Jesus today to have the four convictions. Say a prayer today to Him that you will experience Him like John did.

Shalom!