Have you ever had convictions that you no longer have? Sometimes I find myself being entertained by things that once would have bothered me as a young believer. A lot of people would have called that a “religious” time in my life. I find it interesting that when something interferes with our own belief systems, it’s labeled as deep or religious. I remember times when I refused to watch certain things on television, or go to certain movies, or joke about a variety of subjects. I find myself relaxed a little too much as of late when it comes to holy living.

Why am I even bringing this up in an article that I normally rant and rave about the Kingdom for? I am reminded of Revelations 2:5, “Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.”  When I first got saved, I was consumed by God. I constantly chased after Him. I went to every church service I could, prayer meetings often, and I would witness to anything that moved. I was full of zeal and never doubted God for anything, living by absolute faith. How does all this pertain to being Kingdom minded, occupation and possession? It goes back to convictions.

A soldier that continues to fight for his king has to have convictions. His belief in the kingdom he hails from must be strong, strong enough to forsake mother and father and family. The book of Daniel records these words, “but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Convictions give us the edge over the world and things of this world to resist their temptations and the temporary things they offer us. Instead we seek an eternal reward that can’t even be comprehended in this life, therefore we have hope and we have convictions. If we fail to hold on to those beliefs, then we become relaxed and fall asleep on our watch. The thief only comes while we are sleeping, 1 Peter 5:8 in the message says, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.”

Grip your faith and convictions like a soldier does their weapon, because as Christians these are our weapons. Holiness, truth, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; these are the things that fuel our convictions, give us the hope to fight, and faith to receive that reward we strive for. I want to be Kingdom minded, not comfortable with the grace God has given me.