Leaving A Lasting Legacy

C. 2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance (take recollection) the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

D. There is a difference between a Conviction and a Preference - Difference between a conviction and a preference, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. A preference is a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference, and can also give your entire material wealth in the name of the belief. You can also energetically proselytize others to your preference. You can also want to teach this belief to your children, and the Supreme court may still rule that it is a preference. A preference is a strong belief, but a belief that you will change under the right circumstances. Circumstances such as: 1) peer pressure; if your beliefs are such that other people stand with you before you will stand, your beliefs are preferences, not convictions, 2) family pressure, 3) lawsuits, 4) jail, 5) threat of death; would you die for your beliefs? A conviction is a belief that you will not change. Why? A man believes that his God requires it of him. Preferences aren’t protected by the constitution. Convictions are. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart (cf. Daniel 1, 2-3). Convictions on the inside will always show up on the outside, in a person’s lifestyle. To violate a conviction would be a sin. (David C. Gibbs, Jr. Christian Law Association, P.O. Box 30290, Cleveland, Ohio 44130)

E. Athanasius, early bishop of Alexandria, stoutly opposed the teachings of Arius, who declared that Christ was not the eternal Son of God, but a subordinate being. Hounded through five exiles, he was finally summoned before emperor Theodosius, who demanded he cease his opposition to Arius. The emperor reproved him and asked, "Do you not realize that all the world is against you?" Athanasius quickly answered, "Then I am against all the world."

F. 2 Timothy 1:12-14 … I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which you hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto you keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.

G. Daddy had a little boy; His soul was white as snow. He never went to Sunday school Cause Daddy wouldn’t go. He never heard the Word of God. That thrills the childish mind, while other children went to class, This child was left behind. As he grew from babe to youth, Dad saw to his dismay, a soul that once was snowy white, Became a dingy grey. Realizing that his son was lost, Dad tried to win him back. But now the soul that once was white had turned an ugly black. Dad even started back to church, and Bible study too; He begged the preacher, "Isn’t there a thing you can do?" The preacher tried, failed, and said "We’re just too far behind; I tried to tell you years ago, But you would pay me no mind." And so another soul was lost, that once was white as snow; Sunday School would have helped, But Daddy wouldn’t go. - Pulpit Helps