Convictions Paper
Joe McFadden
Christian Excellence CM 3001
Professor Rick Saylor
November 19, 2010

Convictions are defined as: 1. An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence. 2. (Criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed; "the conviction came as no surprise". 3. The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or adjudging, guilty of an offense. 4. A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal 5. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation 6. The state of being convinced or
I cannot recall any convictions I have held that were rooted in an unwillingness to change but I can definitely see how this could be possible. For a while I knew that God has been calling me into ministry as a vocation but wasn’t sure where to start or how. I would make excuses on why I couldn’t do it or why it wouldn’t work. I had chosen a career path and the change and transition not to mention the uncertainty would not be easy. For years I wrestled with this. Sometimes I would say maybe I can just spend more time in prayer for the lost and hurting or work in my sphere of influence. It came down to a resistance to submit everything including my future to God. I still feel lost in at times. But I know that I am one step closer as I am now pursuing an education which will support this calling. I am confident God will open the doors that need to be opened when the time comes. But I know that this is the first step in that process. That’s much how God works, revealing His plan to us on a step-by-step basis.

References:

Websters Online Dictionary. (2010). Definition of conviction. Retrieved on Novemeber, 19, 2010 from: