Preference or conviction

In 1996, shortly after completing Seminary, my husband and I began to consider home schooling our two children (then 8 and 11years old). As part of our preparation for the curriculum we selected, we listened to a cassette tape about home schooling. I remember very little of that tape except the distinction the speaker made between preference and conviction. He asked whether it was our preference to home school or was it our conviction. I thought it was our conviction until he proceeded with his description of conviction. He basically said that conviction means we would be willing to go to jail if our right to home school was ever challenged. I'm still not sure how I feel about that but the principle he suggested has far reaching implications in our Christian lives. Is it our preference to be Christians or are we convicted Christians? Is it our preference to obey God, or are we convicted in our obedience? How serious are we really about the Name we bear? This illustration came to light recently as I was discussing with someone their desire to do the right thing (I can't even remember what the issue was). When I raised the question - is it your preference to do the right thing, which wanes when it gets difficult or is it your conviction to do the right thing, no matter what? I can identify with that personally. I would really like to glorify God in my eating habits and my attitude about food. I mean it. I would really like to do it; but I have to admit it is more a preference than a conviction. Am I willing to go to jail in order to glorify God in this area? To my shame I'm not even willing to skip a meal. Perhaps your issue isn't food; perhaps it's being kind, or respectful. Maybe God has been prompting you to forgive someone and be released from your bitterness. Sure you would like to forgive them, but it is more a preference than a conviction. How serious are you about doing what is right?

My challenge for you is to give due consideration about what your convictions really are and what are just preferences?

Diane