Strengthening Our Faith with God’s Love

06/12/22 – 06/30/22

Sure Hope

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  06/29/22

Until you develop a strong sense of conviction, you will not have the sure-footedness that is needed to be a follower of Christ. When faced with a crucial decision, you will be tempted to waver between right and wrong—what you know is godly and ungodly.
Those who are soft in their convictions often experience disappointment, doubt, and fear. When we allow temptations to lure us away from what we know is right, we miss God’s blessing. But when we are fully committed to Christ, we have a sure hope.
The rich young ruler wanted to follow Jesus, yet his emotional attachment to earthly treasures kept him paralyzed. He was not free to join those who were a part of Christ’s band of followers (see Mark 10:17-23).

The apostle Paul did not have a problem with commitment or conviction. He gave his life to the Lord and in doing so left behind the very things this world deems both impressive and valuable.

Paul had been a Pharisee—a man of social influence and position. He had been trained by one of the most eminent scholars of his day—Gamaliel, a member and former president of the Sanhedrin, the high council of Jews in Jerusalem. It was said that Gamaliel’s influence was so great that he was one of only seven Jewish scholars who have been honored by the title “Rabban.”

None of this mattered to Paul. He had formed a strong conviction: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” (Philippians 3:8).

Prayer: Lord, I want to be able to say with Paul that the only thing I hold dear is Christ Jesus, who lives in me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I consider everything a loss . . . that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).