Devotional: Firm Persuasion

Firm Persuasion

The word "faith" in both the Old and New Testament has similar meaning. In the Old Testament, faith is described as a firmness or steadfastness. In the New, it is defined as a firm persuasion. Concerning the scriptures, Paul said, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'" (Romans 1:17). In other words, from firm persuasion to firm persuasion, the righteousness of God was (and is) revealed to us.

To the Galatians, Paul said, "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith'" (Galatians 3:11). The Lord desired to remind believers that their righteousness was not based on their ability to follow the law, but by their firm persuasion of scripture. In another instance, Paul said, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38). If God's children are less than persuaded that He is who He says and a rewarder of them that seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), He cannot find pleasure or gladness in their lack of faith, for they have limited themselves from receiving anything from Him.

We must note the importance Paul placed on this understanding. Three times in the New Testament, he quoted an Old Testament prophet: "But the just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4b). Interestingly though, he left out a key word in all three quotes. Notice again, Habakkuk said, "The just shall live by his faith." Not only will those who have been justified by Christ live by "faith," but they shall live by their own faith - not that of another.

The Apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit in all his writings. Therefore we can conclude the Holy Spirit left out this key word. But the truth remains that a person's persuasion on anything is a determining factor in the destiny of their life. Men have flown airplanes into buildings based on their firm persuasion that it was the right thing to do. Women have gone under the knife and altered their appearance based on their firm persuasion happiness and acceptance would be the end result. Children have even jumped off roofs because of a firm persuasion they could fly. It's not only the "just" who shall live by their faith - all people shall live by their persuasions, good or bad.

I remember a story a friend of mine told me one day about a conversation he had with a couple of strangers in an airport. One man acknowledged he didn't believe in God in any form. The other gentlemen said he believed in predestination. The three of them visited about their beliefs and why they believed the way they did. My friend said the other two seemed to be persuaded in their faith even though each one acknowledged they had obvious holes in their belief system. After listening for awhile, my friend said, "All I know is that I win either way. [To the athiest] If you are right, I simply die and that's the end of it. [To the other man] If you are right, God predestines everything and it matters not what I believe for God will predestine my after-life. But if I am right (and I am persuaded that I am), I have eternal life in Christ Jesus, meaning I am born-again, forgiven of my sins, filled with the Spirit of God, and set apart for life everlasting with Him."

These men each had a firm persuasion of something. But only one of them could give examples and testimonies of God confirming what he believed. The Bible says God has given each person "a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3), meaning God has given every person the ability to believe. In His great love for humanity, He built into each of us a seed of faith so that none would have excuse. Yet, with the same love He also gave every person the right to choose what they will believe.

Faith in God and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ has many facets. It assures our successes: "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established..." (2 Chronicles 20:20). It is a weapon against the devil: "Taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy" (Ephesians 6:16). And it is an indispensable and essential element in life: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach... but let him ask in faith..." (James 1:5-6).

The bottom line is: we are all persuaded about something. And if what we're persuaded in is not the truth, then a counterfeit is at work in our life. Every person, young or old, shall live by their faith. "But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive" (Habakkuk 2:4, Message).