The Role of Conviction in Salvation

Galatians 3:23 says "But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed."
In preparing for a weekly Men's Bible study I was contemplating how we were kept under custody as well as the role of the law in being our tutor to lead us to Christ. One of the things that became apparent in this time of study was that the law kept us in custody or condemned us that we might be saved. Sounds strange, but it works like this: the law shines a flood light on our sinfulness and contrasts that with God’s holiness. The contrast shows our complete helplessness and poverty in spiritual matters (morally bankrupt) and shuts out every avenue of justification by our own goodness, effort or obedience to the law. That leaves us in a place where our conviction of sin then points to the only One able to save. The only One able to give true freedom. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! " Romans 11:33
God is great! He brings conviction through the work of the Holy Spirit that shows us His great love for us in providing the very thing that we had no hope of attaining.

A few weeks ago I sent out an e-mail to prayer partners about a discussion I had with an individual that heard another Pastor say that it was not important to remember the event of our salvation. I took exception to that. I believe it is absolutely essential to know when we came to Christ. We may not remember the exact date, time etc. But we need to remember the event. We need to remember a time we came under conviction and turned (repented) from our sin. As Jesus said, except you repent you will perish.
I did receive a few e-mails back from brothers in Christ questioning my understanding. It was good to be challenged and I am thankful for their questions, although in the end we are at different areas in our understanding of salvation.
One of my questions for those that would say I have always been a Christian or I do not remember a time that I did not love Christ would be where is conviction in your salvation? If a person has always loved Christ, then at what point in their life did they humble themselves and place thier life in the hands of thier Saviour?
My understanding of conviction and repentance leads me to this strong believe that we cannot just say I have always been a Christian or I do not remember a time that I did not love Christ.
Conviction of sin is vital to our salvation! Although people respond differently to conviction (some more emotional then others), conviction of sin that leads to faith in Christ is an essential element of the Holy Spirit's work of salvation in our lives.

So this leads to any comments you may have about what role conviction plays in salvation?