There seems to be a lack of conviction in believers.Conviction = An unchangeable belief Preference = A changeable convictionWhen we grasp and understand the lordship of Jesus Christ, our preferences move to our convictions.1 Corinthians 15After Christ’s resurrection, He was seen by over 500 people.Acts 1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about ahundred and twenty)So, the question is, if over 500 people witnessed Jesus after the resurrection, but only 120 werein the upper room, where were the others?Their knowledge and belief of Jesus was a preference not a conviction.Daniel 3 This chapter tells us about the fiery furnace where Shadrach, Meshach andAbednego are thrown into the fiery furnace for worshipping God. Because of their conviction,they were saved from the fire and God even sent an angel to walk in the furnace with them.We must be convicted of the fact that He is God, will always be God and we must choose to be on His side. We can check ourselves with this: Even if ______ (fill in the blank) He is still my God. Is this your truth?A conviction turns into a preference when we add a ‘but’ statement. (ex. I believe God loves me, but...)Solomon was a beautiful follower of God and even got the privilege of seeing Him twice. Unfortunately, Solomon allowed his convictions about who God was to turn into preferences when he chose women over God. This was Solomon’s ‘but’ statement. (1 Kings 10:23, ­11:8)1 Kings 11:9­-12 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. 11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.12 Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.There is a price to pay when our convictions become our preferences. This is not about rules and regulations, its about the condition of your heart. What will you hold onto without wavering?Who do you believe God to be in your life?Do you operate under conviction or preference?