Convictions?

A person is driven or compelled by the strength of his or her convictions. Each person of faith must figure out how strong their convictions really are and how far they will go in expressing themselves and, if necessary, defending those convictions. What we believe matters. If we say we believe something how will it be verified? By merely stating what we believe? or by following each stated conclusion with words and deeds that match the proclamation? Please do not misunderstand what's being said here. We are not Justified by words or actions, regardless of how "righteous" they may appear. The Word of God makes it very clear that our justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. No amount of works IN or outside of Christ can justify us before God but before men we have an obligation to be real and genuine as a testimony of and for God's glory. As the Bible says, "Faith without works is dead." In other words, CONVICTIONS that are empty and lifeless expression(s) neither glorifies God or works the common good for mankind.

(James 2:14-26 NKJV) ¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.