How deep is your belief—and is it strong enough to take you to the highest and hardest parts of the promised life?
Summary:
Robert Lewis explores the depth of belief by comparing it to stepping on a scale: life’s challenges and circumstances reflect the truth about our faith. He outlines three levels of belief:
Convenience belief – rooted in doing what everyone else does, easily abandoned when faith becomes inconvenient.
Comfort belief – centered on the expectation that God exists to make life easy; it fails when life gets hard.
Conviction belief – a firmly held, deeply tested faith that endures through both blessing and hardship.
Robert uses the life of Caleb as a vivid picture of conviction lived out. Despite his outsider heritage (a Kenizzite, not ethnically Jewish) and harsh beginnings (his name means “dog”), Caleb exemplifies a faith that fully follows God. He doesn't settle for safe, comfortable ground but boldly asks for and conquers Hebron—the hardest and best part of the Promised Land, still held by giants. Even at 85, Caleb claims it not for ease but because it represents the fullness of God’s promise.
Robert presses listeners to consider: what part of the promised life are you reaching for? The easy lowlands or the hard but beautiful highlands? A life of conviction empowers others, especially the next generation, to follow God courageously. Caleb's faith inspires Othniel, his nephew, who later becomes a deliverer for Israel.
Key Takeaways:
Faith only at the convenience or comfort level will collapse under pressure.
Conviction-level belief is anchored in personal acceptance of God’s authority, holy consecration, and reinforcing spiritual confirmations.
Background isn’t the deciding factor—faith is.
A life of deep belief blesses others and endures the test of decades.
The promised life isn’t won in ease; it’s taken through courageous, committed belief.
Scripture References:
Numbers 13–14 (spying out the land, Caleb’s report)
Joshua 14:6–14 (Caleb’s request for Hebron)
Joshua 15:13–19 (Caleb conquers Hebron, Othniel’s courage)
Judges 3:7–11 (Othniel becomes a judge)
John 1:12 (adoption into God’s family)
Galatians 6:9 (“do not grow weary in doing good”)
Suggested Category:
Spiritual Growth – The message centers on developing a deeply rooted, enduring faith that moves from mere belief to conviction, with real-life applications for every stage of the Christian journey.
Sermon 10.05.03
