“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval,” (Heb. 11:1,2, NASB).

Faith, as stated by this inspired writer, involves three things: Assurance, Conviction & Approval. These three things are associated with faith.

Consider the opposites. The opposite of assurance is doubt. The opposite of conviction is uncertainty. And the opposite of approval is disapproval. If you want to have in your life – doubt, uncertainty and disapproval, no faith in God is required for those results. Do nothing in response to God; ignore the gospel, and you will have doubt, uncertainty and divine disapproval.

On the other hand, if you want assurance, conviction and approval, you must have faith in God. Most people want assurance, conviction and approval, yet they are not willing to find these results by the activity of faith in God. We should associate these things with faith and seek them by faith: Assurance, Conviction and Approval.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” (Heb. 11:6).

By Warren E. Berkley
From Expository Files 10.11; November, 2003

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