I Thessalonians 1:5
“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”
When Paul shared the message of the gospel with these people, it was with full conviction. He believed the message. He wasn’t like a sales rep who believes in the product only to get a sale. The message worked with Paul. He had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was redeemed. He was enthusiastic about the message and wanted them to share it.
We are also to tell the message with full conviction. This can only happen if it is alive in our daily lives. Are we receiving from The Lord often? Are we praying? Do we have devotional times in the bible? Revelation 3:20 puts it this way, “I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Our relationship with Him should include times in which it’s like sharing a meal with a friend.
How does this affect us? Whenever we invest in The Lord, He blesses us. Luke 6:38 says that if “we give, it will be given unto us.” When we give our time, attention and hearts to Him, He rewards us. He fills us with His joy, peace and sense of His presence. The devotional times might not feel like much in the moment, but the reward comes afterwards. Like building a house, brick by brick. It takes time to see the results.
When someone with a full heart shares the gospel, it’s one with full conviction. We want others to receive that same blessing. We usually have to control our enthusiasm depending on where the hearer is at. They can get overwhelmed. Just plant a small seed.
Lord, thanks for Your wonderful reality in our lives. Help us to share that with full conviction.