Admiration is not enough; conviction is what brings men to the Lord!

"Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon. But even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them. On the other hand, those who put their trust in the Master were added right and left, men and women both. They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter’s shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed. Acts 5:12-16 MSG

Pay attention to the place we were told the people admire them, but still are wary of joining them. This is what happens when unbelievers have been made an impression upon but are yet to receive conviction!

Our great, holy and supernatural lifestyles may command the admiration of the people but it may never bring conviction to their heart. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that brings people to the feet of the Cross. In Acts 2:37, the Bible says they were 'pricked in their heart'.

‘Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

The word pricked from the original translation means to pierce thoroughly. The word pierce was used in Hebrews 4:12, where the word of God is likened to a sharp word that can pierce through!

‘For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’

Our lifestyle may bring impression, but it is our words breathe upon by the Holy Spirit that brings conviction and it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that brings salvation to men!

The Holy Spirit breathe on our words in other to save the world! This is why earlier in ACTS 2 where the people were said to be convicted in their heart, what preceded that was Peter's preaching! The Holy Spirit needs our words in order to save the world!

That's why in ROMANS 10 the Apostle quipped how shall they be saved, except someone preach to them?

‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Nothing can replace the power of one to one raw and cold Evangelism preaching to our neighbors. We must get out there and let the Holy Spirit breathe on our words to bring conviction into the hearts of sinners! Admiration is not enough; conviction is what brings men to the Lord!

And when the 'Holy Spirit is come he will convince/convict the world of sin'. This is what John 16.8 says in Living Bible. His conviction will lead to their conversion. But first the Spirit needs us today to go out where the sinners are and preach the word to a dying world. Will you do that today? God blessings on you as you do that and do take time out to leave a word or comment on how this has blessed you.