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Convictions
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lived their lives with convictions. They were willing to die before going against their beliefs. How does one come to take such positions?
First, a conviction is formed on the basis of revelation. A conviction is not based on opinion or speculation. “God has said, therefore, I believe; therefore, for me, it is settled. Whatever God says, that’s the truth.” That’s how someone lives a life of conviction; they live their life based upon the revelation of God. That’s what faith is. Faith is believing God; it’s taking God at His Word. So, if what you call a conviction is not based on the truth, you only have a solid personal opinion because a conviction is based on revelation.
Second, a conviction is formed on the basis of holiness. A conviction has to do with your belief in God’s truth, which sets you apart from an unbelieving world, from everything that isn’t faith. God’s people live their lives with conviction because they believe in Him. That faith in God’s Word sets them apart from a world that disregards God’s revelation—the truth of God.
A life of conviction is a life of refusing to be pushed into the world’s mold. The apostle Paul warned us in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” There’s constant pressure on how the believer thinks. To live a life of conviction, we must reject worldly philosophy and commit to what God has said in His Word.
Third, a conviction is formed on the basis of wisdom. You might ask, “Does the Bible have something specific to say about every decision I must make?” The answer is, “No.” We don’t have a Bible verse for every decision we face, but we have everything we need for life and godliness in Christ in the Word of God.
As you and I study God’s Word and have a life saturated with it, then even when things are not directly addressed in it, we have sufficient revelation to form our thinking so we can discern what is good and what is evil, what is lawful versus what is profitable. If we are committed to being guided by God’s Word, our lives will have convictions that are just expressions of wisdom.
About this Plan
Whether we know it or not, we tell the world how valuable our God and His Word are by the worth we assign to them through how we live. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s obedience to God’s Word became a test of King Nebuchadnezzar’s authority, and thus it became a test of their faith. Ultimately, their faithfulness resulted in their blessing.
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