Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Convinced vs conviction, this is what Con V Con was meant to say. I say there is a very big difference between the two, but that is only my opinion. Therein lies the real difference between the two.

The Jews of Paul’s time held an opinion as to what the scriptures meant. Paul could reason with them out of the scriptures and convince them that their opinions were flawed. Did Paul convince them unto salvation?

Jesus looked into the heart of each man and wrote out their sins in the dust as they came to stone a woman caught in adultery. Now the law demanded her death, but Jesus pointed out that they too were worthy of death. Their conscience caused a conviction that led to a turning away. This is repentance. Did their conviction save them?

In both cases my opinion is no. It is my opinion from my perspective because I can only look at the outward expression. I have no idea what went on in each man’s heart, nor what they did next. Opinions are but a momentary thing. They can be changed and should always give way to revealed truth.

We are called to be in fellowship with one another. We are meant to have more than a momentary glimpse into each other’s lives. Of what value are conversations which are so shallow and meaningless that they do not touch the heart of a matter?

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Isn’t this just the best description of something we call witness protection? Let me elaborate upon the issues.

A life of crime puts the witness at the mercy of his mob boss. At some point this witness comes to the realization that this life he is leading is a path to death and destruction. He wants out but knows he cannot achieve this on his own, so he reaches out to the district attorney’s office with his tale of woe.

“Get me out and my witness is yours.”

The district attorney sees the value in this criminal’s statement and agrees to provide witness protection for this testimony. Charges will be dropped, no prosecution for criminal activity, a new identity and a new life is arranged.

The U.S. Marshall’s office oversees this new life, checking in regularly with the witness. His job is to ensure the witness does not entangle himself once again in a life of crime.

This ladies and gentlemen is our salvation story. Jesus Christ is the DA and the Holy Spirit is the U.S. Marshall and we are the witnesses.

If you are reading this and you have not confessed your sins and sought a new life, talk to Jesus and hammer out a deal for your escaping a life of sin.