Faith is probably one of the more difficult aspects of Christianity to explain to people. In reality, the principle of faith is neither that difficult nor unusual to the common circumstances of life. Our text from Hebrews 11:1 simply states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
In everyday life every person alive expresses faith in something. Each time we drive down the road we have faith that the person in the other lane will remain where they are supposed to so we do not have a head-on. When we take a drink from the faucet we have faith that the people at the water purification plant had done their job. Each time we sit in a chair we express faith that it will indeed hold us. A doctor we hardly know tells us he must cut us open to repair something, and we trust him to do so. Faith is on every hand and the human heart is well exercises in believing.
The question then becomes, in what or whom do we believe, and when it comes to issues of eternal life and the kingdom of God, our faith must be properly placed and properly expressed. Most people, unless they are totally taken with themselves, will admit to belief in God. This seems like it should suffice, but it does not. We are told that even the demons believe, and tremble, but that does not save them from their fate.
Our text states that faith, biblical faith, has two main ingredients. First, we find confidence, confidence in the substance of our belief. Confidence has to do with believing those things God has spoken in His word regarding spiritual realities. In order words, faith has substance, a belief system, which makes belief Word oriented. Faith, someone has said, is taking God at His word. I am confident that what God has said regarding salvation, regarding life, and regarding eternity is true. I rest my confidence in God’s Word, which assumes that I know God’s Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God. People of faith are people of the Book. Their belief has substance.
The other element of faith is conviction. This is an interesting word and one that will determine whether my confidence will work out in my life. Believing God’s Word is right and proper, but having the conviction to put it into practice is quite another thing. In our times we have seen the rise of easy-believism, a belief system that states one must just believe the facts to get to heaven. Such a form of Christianity has produced people who say they are saved and yet they live like the devil. What they lack is true faith that is filled with conviction. Conviction brings belief to life’s arena and makes faith work. This is James’ point when speaking about Abraham being justified by works. Abraham not only believed God, had confidence in His Word, but he also acted upon his belief. That is conviction. Faith can be seen in what people do. Jesus said that fruit reveals reality. Faith simply works.
Joseph believed God enough not to commit adultery. Daniel was such a man of conviction he went to the lion’s den. Faith both embraces God’s Word and acts upon it; confidence and conviction. Faith has both ingredients and thus changes our life. I want the world to convict me of being a Christian. God bless.
David H. Seefried, Pastor (7/20/2000)
Posted on 23 Jul 2008 at 9:25am | Filed under Devotionals
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