The Conviction that Demands a Life

Hebrews 11:1 ESV:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith. Have you really thought what faith really entails? I mean really think about it. In this passage of Hebrews, the author explains the power of faith. It is the “assurance of things hope for”, the very “conviction of things not seen.” This is an incredible thought, for it implies more than just a “belief”, faith is the conviction that is so strong that it produces an action, a way of doing thing. It is being so convinced that you order your life around that conviction. F.F. Bruce says it this way, “faith is the organ which enables people to see the invisible order” (The Epistle to the Hebrews, 277).

As I sat and thought about this today, I wonder, how much do I order my life around my conviction, my faith in the invisible God? If I did not believe, and my life was not different, how strong is my faith? When I thought about it, I took comfort in knowing that I have lived my life, thus far, living in a manner that depended upon the invisible God to be visible in some measure of my life. At the same time, it challenged me to order my life on the conviction that invisible God does and will respond to those who order their life in obedient dependence on him to accomplish what he has promised. This is a powerful thing, for it is a sin to attribute to God blame that he will NOT do what he has already said that he WOULD do in and through your life. May we all remember this challenge from Hebrews, to make our faith more than just our belief, but to make it our conviction that demands a lifestyle that is noticed.

Let us simply take God at his word, and live a bold life anchored on that conviction!

The Needed Reminder

1 Corinthians 15:1–4

Now I want to make clear for you,brothers and sisters,the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importancewhat I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raisedon the third day according to the scriptures…

It is powerful to realize that there seems to be a need within every believer to be reminded of the gospel, which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are being saved.

Salvation is a process, not just an event. It is an inauguration, that lives in the process of the “already” and the “not yet”.

Because salvation is a process, that process is shown by how fast I hold on to the word that I received, and stand upon. If I am not holding on, by faith, to that Word, then my “belief” is in vain. The Word has not grabbed a hold of me, therefore I am not truly His.

My life, that bears fruit, is the assurance of my salvation. My salvation is not the result of my works, but is a reaction, or response to the grace that comes alive in me through the blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus. For He died for my sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried and was resurrected on the third day, all in accordance with the Scriptures!

“…in accordance with the Scriptures” (vv. 3,4). Jesus’ life, His death, and His resurrection were confirmed as genuine because it was foretold, occurring in line with what the Scriptures had already said, and by the fact that they happened. He had proof on both sides of His event–before AND after. Already recognized Hebrew Scriptures told what He WOULD do, then history reflected what He DID do! Jesus Christ REALLY died for my sins; REALLY was buried and was raised on the Third Day! Because of what He did, I can live in the Resurrection power of His life.