Intensity of the 4-Levels of conviction

Sanfo Agyo
Mar 14, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Nov 17, 2024

How strong is your Christian conviction? Are you a disciple or lost in the crowd?

In the previous article, we laid the foundation that our Christian faith should be based on four levels of conviction for it to be formidable.

In this article we want to discuss how strong should these four levels of conviction be. This is relevant because we have a great number of church-meddling, never-missing-Sunday service worshippers and dedicated church workers who are not Christians. They are either playing church, or enjoy the feeling of a song-filled environment - with Paul capturing their state in 2 Tim 3:5,

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

These precious people have seen, heard and have possibly looked into the message of the gospel but they have never experienced Jesus personally. Or they have even experienced Jesus but have not come under his leadership. So what in heavens name do we do with these folks? And how do we get the gospel to them?

The answer to this question is to query the intensity or genuineness of what they have heard, seen, looked into and experienced.

Many people in church are like the mixed multitudes or the crowd instead of disciples; constantly receiving but never coming to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7).

The intensity of what is spoken, the intensity of what is heard and seen can determine our conviction. Could it be that many people going to church are not Christians because what they are hearing and seeing are so watered down that there is little substance? Many people in church are like the mixed multitudes or the crowd instead of disciples; constantly receiving but never coming to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7).

Let's compare the intensity of what was seen and heard by the crowd versus disciples and draw some key lessons from there.

Act 1: Mk 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Act 2: Psalms 103:7

He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

Act 3: Gal. 1:18

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.

The crowd heard parables, the disciples heard the interpreted parables. What are you hearing?

So what was the difference between the disciples and the crowd? The intensity of teaching and clarification that Jesus gave to the disciples in private was more formidable than what the crowd heard - no wonder the disciples turned out different. The crowd saw the miracle working Jesus, the disciples saw the tranfigured Christ. The crowd saw him teaching on a boat in water, the disciples saw him walk on water. The crowd saw him raise Lazarus from the grave, but the disciples saw the resurrected Christ. The intensity of what the disciples heard and saw made the difference.

The crowd saw the miracle-working Jesus, the disciples saw the tranfigured Christ. What are you seeing?

What was the difference between Moses and the children of Israel? It was the intensity of the revelation of God Moses had that made him different. He knew how to get to God (God's ways), the Israelites (as compared to Moses) only enjoyed the fringe benefits of manna and quail. The Israelites enjoyed the manna for 40 years, Moses enjoyed the constant communion with God for 40 years. It's all about the intensity of what Moses experienced compared to Israelites that made him different.

Similarly, Paul though not one of the 12 went on an extended journey of intense study to understand Christ for 3 years. His gospel was different from the disciples because of the intensity of his studies and the excellency of the revelation he received.

The disciples worked with Jesus for years, Paul personally studied Jesus for 3 years. What are you studying?

It is important leaders and pastors start thinking about the intensity - potency, strength, depth, all-roundedness of the gospel we are showing to the world. What we hear, see and study will ultimately determine our experience of the christian faith; and ultimately what we pass on. The next generation will reflect the intensity of what we have shown them.

Shalom!