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Do you know the difference between real Believer conviction and mere belief? Whether you stay in Yahweh’s Congregation may depend on your answer!

      At the time of his baptism, George (not his real name) said he would never leave Yahweh’s Congregation. He would always keep close to Yahweh and walk with Him, no matter what happened. George was a student at The Ambassador Program. He had waited until his senior year to be baptized because he had wanted to be sure of himself. That was eight years ago. Today George is no longer with us.

      Why? What caused him to turn away from the truth? What made him become an unbeliever? And how can you be sure that you won’t follow his bad example? Are you convinced of your beliefs?

      One day the father of a sick boy came to Messiah and said, “…I brought my son to You, having a spirit that does not speak. And whenever it overtakes him, it knocks him down and he foams at the mouth and gnashes his teeth and becomes paralyzed…” (Mark 9:17- 18). The man further stated that Messiah’s disciples had been unable to heal the boy.

      “…How long a time is it while this has happened to him?” asked Messiah. The father answered, “From childhood… But if You are able to do anything, help us, having pity on us” (verse 21-22). A pathetic cry from the father, beseeching Messiah’s help for his son! The man wasn’t sure whether Messiah would- or could- do anything. But when he heard that “all things are possible” with Yahweh, he immediately cried out and said, “I believe my Master. Help my unbelief!” (verse 23-24).

      Do you understand the true meaning of that request? The father wanted to believe, but needed help to overcome his unbelief or lack of faith. Every one of us at times has some doubts. We want to believe- we think we believe- But we are not totally convinced. If, for instance you were asked, “Do you believe this is Yahweh’s Congregation? Your answer would certainly be, “Yes, I do.” But would you give the same positive answer if you were asked, “Are you totally convinced of it?” To be totally convinced you must have overcome all of your doubts once and for all. If those who have left the Congregation had been totally convinced that this is Yahweh’s Congregation, they would never have left it.

      George, the student at The Ambassador Program, only believed. He was not totally convinced. That’s why he is no longer with us. There is a big difference between believing and being convinced. Once you are convinced, you have passed the point of no return. You can never go back. You have overcome all your arguments and doubts.

Requires conviction

All of us in Yahweh’s Congregation need more conviction, not just simple belief. The difference between one who stays in the Congregation and one who leaves is the difference between believing with conviction and believing without conviction. The Bible defines faith as “Now faith is the substance of things being hoped, and it was the substance of things that have come to pass, and the evidence of things not having been seen” (Heb 11:1). A major part of faith is conviction, a quality some in Yahweh’s Congregation lack today. Did you know that the words convicted, convinced and even confute are derived from the same root?

In Act 18 we learn that Apollos, a Jew, used the Old Testament to prove to his own people that Yahshua was the Messiah. Eloquent in speech and well versed in Scriptures, “This one having been taught by mouth in the way of the Master, and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things about Yahshua, but he only understood the baptism of John” (verse 25). Why was Apollos able to convince the people? The fact that he himself was totally convinced of his beliefs helped considerably. “For he powerfully confuted the Jews publicly, proving through the Scriptures Yahshua to be the Messiah” (verse 28). Can you do that? Can you “confute” someone with Scriptures, as Apollos did, showing that Yahshua is Messiah? You should be able to if you are totally convinced of this truth, and if you are filled by the Spirit of Yahweh.

Notice the Bible’s simple, beautiful description of Abraham’s conviction: “And he did not hesitate at the promise of YAHWEH, as one lacking faith; but he was strong in faith, and gave glory to Elohim; and felt assured, that what YAHWEH had promised to him, he was able to fulfill” (Rom 4:20-21).

This is faith with conviction. It opens all doors and helps you resist all temptations. It overcomes all feelings of discouragement or defeat. If you have this sort of conviction, you can be sure you will always remain in Yahweh’s Congregation.

Faith in action

Do you sometimes take the truth for granted? Don’t! Make the effort to check up on things, to prove and understand them .Conviction requires greater effort. You have to work harder, push harder, study and pray more.

Unfortunately, some in Yahweh’s Congregation are not doing that. And their belief has no conviction! Whatever you focus on becomes most real for you, and that is why you must pray without ceasing, and study your Bible every day, and let the Holy Spirit lead you daily, and not be bogged down by the cares of the world. When you read the Scriptures they must be more than just stories, but real living examples for you every day of your life and you must pray to Yahweh each and every day to show you what you are reading and how it applies in your life.

One day four men brought a paralytic to Messiah. But they could not get near Yahshua because of the crowd around Him. The men knew- they were convinced- that if Messiah saw the paralytic He would heal him.

Consequently, their task was to find a way to get near Him. They were determined to do their part.

“And not being able to draw near to Him, due to the crowd, they unroofed the roof where He was. And digging through, they lowered the cot on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:4).

Imagine! They came right through the roof. Their faith stirred them to action. Removing the roof was not an easy task. It took ingenuity and effort, but they succeeded. Messiah marveled and said, “...Child, your sins are forgiven to you” (verse 5). And the man was healed. Can you neglect your responsibilities and honestly expect Yahweh to do everything for you? Conviction requires much more than folding your arms and passively waiting for something to happen.

The Bible also relates the story of a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for 12 years. She “came near behind Him, and touched the fringe (tassel) of His robe. For she said within herself, If only I shall touch His robe, I will be cured” (Mat 9:20-21).

Notice! The woman was convinced in her mind that if she touched Messiah’s robe she would be made well. She found her way through the crowd to Messiah and touched Him.

Messiah turned and said, “Be comforted, daughter; your faith has healed you” (verse 22) And she was healed. Is your faith without conviction -without action?

Yahweh’s Congregation is on the right track. But each one of us needs conviction to be able to remain on the right track. It is high time we all realize this! Faith requires conviction and action!

There is a big difference between believing and being convinced. Once you are convinced, you have passed the point of no return. You can never go back. You have overcome all your arguments and doubts… All of us in Yahweh’s Congregation need more conviction…

Yahshua gave us an example in everything- in attitude, conviction and love. He knew why He was on earth. He was totally convinced of His mission and what His Father expected of Him. We, too, must be convinced of our calling and of our mission. The conviction of Messiah must be in us through Yahweh’s Holy Spirit.

A positive attitude

Look how Messiah prayed before Lazarus was brought back to life. He lifted His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You heard Me.” (John 11:41). What a positive way to start a prayer! That’s total conviction. Before asking anything of Yahweh, Messiah started, “I thank You that You heard Me.” How did Messiah know Yahweh heard Him? Because of His conviction: “And I know that You always hear Me…” (verse 42). Then Messiah added, “but because of the crowd that stands here, I said it, that they might believe that You sent Me.” That was Messiah’s whole prayer. The only thing left for Him to do was to order Lazarus to come forth. And Lazarus came forth.

Some don’t want to be convinced

Some people pass by the truth without noticing it. Others stumble on it. Still others learn something about the truth but are not willing to be convinced by it, for fear of having to change their way of life! King Agrippa was in that last group. He didn’t want to be convinced. He felt he had no need of conversion.

When Festus asserted that the apostle Paul’s great learning has driven him mad, Paul answered: “Not to madness… but I speak words of truth and sanity. And king Agrippa is also well acquainted with these things; and I therefore speak confidently before him, because I suppose not one of these things hath escaped his knowledge; for they were not done in secret.” (Act 26:25-26)

Then Paul asked: “Do you believe the prophets, king Agrippa? I know that you believe.” (verse 27). Yes, indeed, King Agrippa believed, but was not willing to be convinced. “And Agrippa said to Paul, in such a short while do you try to persuade me to become a Christian?” (verse 28).

He was happy to be the king, happy to live the way he did. No need for him to change anything- certainly not to become a Believer, which would have meant giving up many things in his life, turning away from lust and observing the teachings of the Bible; All that was too much to ask King Agrippa.

Could this be your attitude? Do you sometimes deceive yourself, hoping Yahweh will “understand” when you know you are neglecting your part? Do you close your mind to certain aspects of the truth such as America being end time Babylon and the need to come out of this world’s system, which would require changing things in your life that you don’t want to change? Jacob wrote, “So also faith, if it does not have deeds, is dead being by itself.” (Jac 2:17).

The “deeds” mentioned in this verse refer to your part in faith. These “deeds” may require changing your habits, your ways of thinking and living. It may mean, for you, praying more, studying more or being a better example. It may mean getting off the Internet or giving up worldly friends, as the people you are with is the person you will become (1st Cor 15:33), and you will never get conviction if you are surrounded by faithless, worldly influences.

Pro 13:20 He who walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be broken.

If you’re not fulfilling your part, you cannot be convinced that Yahweh will answer your prayers. “You believe that Elohim is One (echad). You do well; even the demons believe and shudder.” (verse 19). Yes, even demons ‘believe’, but they are not ‘convicted’ to obey Yahweh!

The disciples of Messiah, before their conversion, were not really convinced. They only believed in Messiah. Think of it! After spending three and half years with Him, after hearing Him preach day and night, they still had doubts in their minds. They were not totally convicted of the truth. They lacked Yahweh’s Spirit. They could not go farther than the limits imposed by their human minds.

The disciples were indignant when Messiah told them that soon they would all fall away because of Him, and that “the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Peter objected vehemently to this pronouncement. “Even if all will be offended in You, I will never be offended.” Peter assured Messiah (Mat 26:31, 33). Peter was sure of himself, wasn’t he? Yes, but not fully convinced, even though he thought he was! He believed with his carnal mind, without having the spiritual strength to back his belief. Messiah told him, “Truly I say to you, During this night, before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times” (verse 34).

Once again, Peter didn’t agree with that statement. He would prove his Master wrong! “Even if it were necessary for me to die with You, I will not deny You, never!” he answered (verse 35). Ironically, all of the disciples said the same thing to Yahshua. Nevertheless, when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Yahshua, “Then all the disciples ran away, forsaking Him” (verse 56).

However, the disciples’ attitudes totally changed after their conversion. They became men of courage, faith and conviction after receiving Yahweh’s Spirit! Today in the Congregation of Yahweh we, too, have received this Spirit of faith and courage and conviction. We must allow it to convince us. Unfortunately, some just aren’t using Yahweh’s Spirit to help them grow in conviction.

Do you perhaps believe that if you personally witnessed great miracles you would be convinced? Yet, the children of Israel saw the 10 great miracles of Yahweh and even the parting of the Red Sea and still they were not convinced of His covenant promises. Humans are prone to forget – even a miracle!

If you are completely convinced and convicted of Yahweh’s truth, nothing can make you turn away from Yahweh. You won’t have any doubt that you are in Yahweh’s Congregation and that Messiah is the Head of that Congregation.

You have read many times the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man saw what was happening to him, he cried out for help for the other members of his family:

“Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house; (for I have five brothers, so that he may witness to them, that they not also come to this place of torment)” (Luke 16:27- 28). Abraham answered, “They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them” (verse 29).

The rich man wanted a miracle, hoping it would help his five brothers to be convinced. “No, father Abraham, but if one should go from the dead to them, they will repent” (verse 30). That is human reasoning! That’s what the world wants to believe. Believers, today, think they would repent and believe if they saw Messiah return with power and glory! But they are mistaken. Miracles by themselves cannot convince anyone permanently, as Abraham said, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would also not listen and believe him if a man from the dead should rise they still would not believe him” (verse 31). Likewise, if you cannot be convinced with what is already revealed in the Bible, no miracle can ever convince you! Actually, conviction requires that you do something- not that a miracle or anything else be done for you.

The miracle of your calling

The greatest miracle in your life took place when Yahweh called you and gave you His Spirit after your baptism. As John wrote, “Then remember how you received and heard, and keep, and repent” (Rev 3:3). Yes, indeed, remember the way you were called, how it all happened, the miracle of being among the very few chosen ones! Read and study the Bible with this in mind. Learn how the men of Yahweh fought, how they endeavored to overcome their doubts and difficulties.

Yet, in the final analysis, it was always Yahweh who led them to victory. They didn’t win their battles- Yahweh did. He wins all of our battles. But we must be convinced of it and do our part – Fulfill our obligations. If you are completely convinced and convicted of Yahweh’s truth, nothing can make you turn away from Yahweh. You won’t have any doubt that you are in Yahweh’s Congregation and that Messiah is the Head of the Congregation. You can trust Him implicitly!

Some come into the truth and are baptized into the covenant, and then, through pride they think they know more than the ordained set apart elders of Yahweh. They want to do things their own way, or they get caught up on a false doctrine that they have been hoodwinked by Satan with, and a spirit of doubt creeps in and they lose their conviction. Some will blame the ministers or attack the doctrine of Yahshua and leave in bitterness, yet the doctrine they denied and the minister they attacked were no different than the day they came to the truth.

The reality is that they never had true conviction of the truth and through their own pride allowed Satan to deceive them into some false belief, and into losing their faith, and maybe even their salvation if they never repent from such a horrid state. As where do you go after you have come to the truth and true fellowship of Yahweh’s Congregation? There is nowhere else to go for such prideful people, but into perdition.

Once you have come into the truth and have been convicted through the Holy Spirit of the one true doctrine, faith, baptism, and Congregation of Yahshua, there should be nothing that should be able to take you out of Yahweh’s Congregation but your own pride through a lack of conviction in the truth. As Paul wrote: “Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him loving us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor cherubs, nor rulers, nor armies, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing created will be able to separate us from the love of YAHWEH in Messiah, Yahshua, our Master” (Rom 8:35-39).

This is full conviction. It is living faith! Pray for it, embrace it and meditate on it daily so that it will only grow more day by day.