The Meaning of Religious Convictions: Choosing to Serve God

What is religious convictions?

In the biblical tradition, religious convictions are defined as steadfast commitments to God’s revealed will, exemplified by Joshua’s declaration in Joshua 24:15: 'As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.'

These convictions root believers in a covenantal relationship with God, shaping not only their understanding of truth but also their moral and communal practices. They function as an internal compass, guiding choices in alignment with divine commandments. This commitment is not passive but active, demanding loyalty even amid cultural pressures or personal cost.

Such convictions deeply influence identity, as seen in Joshua’s resolve to lead his household in faithful obedience. They transform individuals into active participants in God’s redemptive story, setting the foundation for the next exploration of how these beliefs sustain communal worship and ethical living.

Religious Convictions in Joshua 24:15

In Joshua 24:15, the Israelites’ public declaration of loyalty to the Lord exemplifies how biblical religious convictions intertwine individual resolve with communal covenantal responsibility.

Joshua’s pivotal challenge to the people - 'Choose this day whom you will serve' - frames conviction as both a personal and collective act of allegiance. The verse records their response, 'As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,' illustrating how conviction is rooted in covenantal fidelity rather than mere sentiment. This commitment demands active choice amid competing cultural forces, as the Israelites reject idolatry to align with God’s revealed will. The interplay between Joshua’s leadership and the people’s corporate response underscores that religious convictions are not isolated decisions but formative commitments shaping communal identity.

The binary choice presented in this passage - serving the Lord or other gods - reflects the existential stakes of conviction in Scripture. Yet this decision is not static. It requires sustained fidelity through generations, as seen in the recurring themes of covenant renewal. This dynamic between personal resolve and communal accountability remains central to understanding how biblical convictions sustain ethical and worship practices in the face of cultural pressures.

Conviction vs. Cultural Practice

Biblical religious convictions represent internal, covenantal commitments to God, distinct from external cultural practices that may shape communal life.

This distinction is evident in 1 Samuel 15:23, where Saul’s adherence to cultural norms of kingship clashes with Samuel’s demand for obedience to divine will: 'For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and arrogance as the sin of enchantment.' Here, Saul’s compromise of his convictions for political expediency illustrates how cultural expectations can conflict with God’s commands.

Such tensions are further seen in the Mosaic Law’s dietary and ceremonial practices (Leviticus 11), which were cultural markers for Israel but did not define their covenantal identity. Jesus’ ministry in Mark 7:1-23 explicitly reorients this dynamic, declaring that defilement arises not from external rituals but from internal moral failure, prioritizing conviction over cultural performance.

The early church’s debates over Gentile inclusion (Acts 15) exemplify this principle in action. While Jewish believers initially linked cultural practices like circumcision to faith, the council affirmed that 'it is by the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved,' emphasizing inner conviction over external markers - a resolution that preserved unity without erasing cultural diversity.

Why religious convictions Matters Today

In an age marked by pluralism and shifting moral frameworks, religious convictions provide a stabilizing anchor for faith and ethical decision-making.

Biblical examples like Joshua 24:15 - 'As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord' - illustrate the necessity of intentional, covenantal commitment in a world where relativism often undermines absolute truth. Such convictions challenge believers to navigate cultural pressures without compromising core beliefs, even as 1 Samuel 15:23 warns that 'rebellion is as the sin of divination,' highlighting the cost of prioritizing cultural adaptation over divine obedience.

By grounding choices in scriptural fidelity rather than transient trends, these convictions equip believers to engage diverse perspectives while maintaining a clear moral compass, a principle later affirmed in the early church’s resolution of Gentile inclusion (Acts 15). This prepares us to explore how convictions shape communal identity in the face of modern challenges.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of religious convictions, explore how they intersect with covenantal loyalty and active faith in Scripture.

Consider studying related concepts like covenant (e.g., Genesis 17:7-8) and obedience (Deuteronomy 5:33), as well as historical movements like the early church’s resolution of Gentile inclusion in Acts 15, which exemplify conviction-driven communal faith in action.