Faith is "knowledge and conviction." Here we have the proverbial head and heart of the Christian faith. True faith is knowledge: We must understand something and know something about God and the gospel; we are not saved by a content-less Christ. And true faith is conviction: We must trust and embrace and feel something of the glory of the knowledge we possess. Even the demons have good theology (James 2:19). Knowledge is necessary, but it is not enough.
Faith is also "a deep-rooted assurance." It is not arrogant, but it is confident. We should have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 22), but double is not the goal. We want a faith that is not constantly wandering and wondering but sure and established. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).
Faith is "created... by the Holy Spirit through the gospel." Genuine trust in God does not come by virtue of superior intellect or by luck of a credulous personality. It is the work of God's Spirit birthed in us through the hearing of the good news about Christ. The salvation we receive by faith is a gift, and so is faith itself.
Faith is humble. It puts an end to all boasting except in the cross, and puts to flight any thoughts of merit except that which was won for us by Christ.
Faith is personal. Faith is not trust in an abstract principle that God is love or that Jesus died on the cross for sinners. Faith is personal, believing that God loves me, that Jesus died for me. Faith trusts that God did not send His Son merely to do something wonderful for people out there in the world. He sent His Son to live and die in my place. Salvation is more than a concept, it's a conviction. True faith believes "I am forgiven, I am right with God, and I will live forever."
~Kevin DeYoung, The Good News We Almost Forgot
