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Biblical faith presupposes and requires inner conviction. Faith begins with the promises of God contained in His Word being illuminated by the Spirit of God. The writer of Hebrews helps us to understand the relationship between faith and conviction. Hebrews 11: l says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence [conviction] of things not seen." The word evidence can be translated "proof" or "conviction." Biblical faith is not just convicting, it is also convincing. It is not a leap in the dark nor is it a worked up feeling, but rather peaceful confidence based on evidence that demands a verdict. When one is persuaded by the evidence it results in conviction. Once we see truth, we can’t unsee it.

Paul says that faith is a gift (Eph. 2:8, 9). God’s Word is an incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23) engrafted into our lives and fertilized by the Spirit of God (Titus 3:5). In 1 Corinthians 12:3b Paul said, "…no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit." Without the calling, illumination and regeneration of the Holy Spirit, conviction and faith would not be possible. Faith is like a muscle that grows—some people have "little faith", some have "faith" and some have "great faith." The seed of the Gospel is germinated by the regenerating activity of the Spirit. As we learn to ruminate on God’s Word, it becomes a vital part of our lives and we become persons with God-given convictions which in godly actions and godly habits.

Clearly, saving faith in the Bible involves more than just mental assent. It is a whole soul’s trust in God and in His Word as true. Without such faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).  Faith involves several dimensions and impacts on all of life:

1) Faith involves belief (mind)—it affects what we think (cognitive).

2) Faith involves trust (heart)—it affects how we feel (affective).

3) Faith involves response (will)—it affects what we do (volitional).

Any intimate relationship impacts on how we think, feel and act. The Christian faith involves:

1) A person to be received—Christ,

2) a truth to be believed—God’s Word and

3) a life of love to be lived. 

Unbelief arises out of ignorance, while faith arises out of being persuaded by evidence—revealed and illuminated by God. God said to the prophet Hosea that His people are destroyed "through lack of knowledge" of His ways, Word, will, promise and provision (Hosea 4:6).

Next Week:  Can Christian convictions be misused or abused?