Conviction and Faith - Part 1

In a world that often seems to pull us in countless directions, what anchors our souls? What guides our steps when the path ahead is unclear? The answer lies in our convictions - those deeply held beliefs that shape our actions, decisions, and very essence of who we are.

Convictions are more than mere beliefs; they are principles we stand by even in the face of opposition or difficult situations. As Howard Hendricks wisely noted, "A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for." Our convictions have the power to color our conduct, motivate our movements, and determine our direction in specific ways.

Consider the story of an elderly Black woman, known in her community for her unwavering faith and bold proclamations of God's goodness. Every morning, she would stand on her front porch and declare, "Praise the Lord for another day!" Her neighbor, a skeptic, often challenged her faith. When the woman fell on hard times and prayed for groceries, her neighbor secretly left food at her doorstep, thinking he had disproven her faith. But her response? "Look at God! God used you, who doesn't believe, to answer my prayers!" Her conviction remained unshaken, demonstrating the power of deeply held faith.

As we grow in our spiritual journey, our convictions evolve. Initially, we might attend church, pray, or practice compassion because it's what we've been taught or what we see others doing. It's similar to how children learn to share or be kind - by observing and imitating those around them. As Nelson Mandela wisely observed, "No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, or their background, or their religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

But as we mature in faith, we develop our own reasons for our beliefs and actions. These reasons become our convictions - essential for spiritual growth and maturity. Without convictions, we risk being at the mercy of circumstances or mindlessly following the crowd. As the saying goes, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, offers profound insights on living a life guided by convictions. He emphasizes the importance of transformation over conformity to the world's standards. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world," he writes, "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

This transformation is not an overnight process; it's a lifelong journey of sanctification - the process of being made holy. It involves both addition and subtraction in our lives, as the Holy Spirit removes certain aspects and adds others. This battle between conformity to the world and transformation by God begins in our minds.

Paul challenges us to think differently, to have a change of mind. This is why practices like meditation, Bible reading, prayer, and regular church attendance are so crucial. They help align our minds with God's perspective, gradually transforming us into the image of Christ.

The Greek word Paul uses for transformation is "metamorpho," the same root as metamorphosis. It's a profound change, like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. This transformation allows us to "behold the glory of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18), much like Moses whose face shone after being in God's presence.

But what does it mean to "behold the face of God"? It's not just a supernatural, out-of-body experience reserved for a select few. Mother Teresa offers a beautiful perspective: "I see the face of God in every sick person, in every dying person. I see Jesus in every human being." She saw Jesus in the hungry, the sick, the homeless - and responded with love and service.

This transformation proves what is good and acceptable in our lives. It's evident in how we look at others, how we speak to them, and how we treat them. There's an internal change that manifests externally, bringing about a visible transformation in our lives and interactions.

Living a life of conviction means resisting the world's systems that often run counter to God's love and compassion. It means being "in the world but not of the world," governed not by the world's principles but by God's. It involves decreasing our interest in worldly behaviors and attitudes while increasing our desire to exemplify Christ's way of life.

As we embrace this journey of transformation, we open ourselves to experiencing God's presence in new and profound ways. We begin to see His face not just in church or during prayer, but in the faces of those around us - in the hungry, the sick, the marginalized. Our convictions lead us to act with love, compassion, and justice, reflecting the very nature of God to a world in need.

In conclusion, our convictions serve as a guiding light on our spiritual journey. They shape our faith, help us navigate life's challenges, and transform us from the inside out. As we allow God to renew our minds and hearts, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace. Let us embrace this transformative journey, standing firm in our convictions while remaining open to God's continual work in our lives. For in doing so, we not only draw closer to God but also become channels of God's love and light in the world around us.