https://www.pillarandgroundofthetruth.online/post/true-conversionDO I NEED TO CHANGE MY LIFESTYLE?
DO I NEED TO BE CONVERTED?
None of us was born perfect and everyone needs to repent and accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour. When you accept Christ as your personal Saviour you will be obedient to God. This is a sign of conversion.
Nothing in life is static; there are always changes. This is also true of our individual lives. Our bodies change as we grow older and our lifestyle also changes.
God does not expect us to remain in any sinful condition because He has given us the chance to repent and be a better person.
Although it is important to do things which will cause physical changes for example males cutting their hair to ensure proper grooming the most essential change in your life is a spiritual change.
Man was made in the image of God but sin marred that image. Romans 8:5-8 reminds us, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
The word carnal means to be sensual, wanton, lascivious, fleshly and animalistic. These verses are telling us that the natural person is more attuned to do wrong than to follow the precepts of God. Anyone who desires to obey God must become more attuned to God than with the world. One can only be attuned to God when one has been converted.
How can you know if you are converted or know that someone is converted? What is expected of a converted person? Is there possibility that one can be converted yet carnal?
Peter was a Disciple of Jesus and he loved the Lord. He was one of Jesus’ favourite workers, yet he had a
problem. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah but he also thought that Jesus would set up His Kingdom right then on the earth and destroy the dominance of the Romans. Thus, it was that Peter’s focus was a little out of line. Jesus recognised that Peter had a good heart but needed special assistance.
We read in Luke 22: 31-32, “ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
At first because of his unconverted state, Peter was unable to properly complete the tasks God had called him to do. However, later when he was converted Jesus gave him, his mandate. Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou Me? And he said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep. (John 21:15-17)
Conversion was the changing point in Peter’s life. After his conversion he became a powerful Apostle of Christ. He was no longer afraid as he was when he denied Christ; he became very bold.
Zacchaeus was another converted soul. He was extremely happy when he met Jesus. While Jesus was speaking with him. he realized that he was unconverted and needed Christ.
Zacchaeus then confessed his sins. He said, “ Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Jesus was pleased with him and told him, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
When you are converted, you will seek to make restitution. Restitution means to give back anything which you had stolen. If you had told a lie about someone you must now speak the truth about what you had done; if you stole money or kill someone you must publicly admit your actions.
There can be no conversion without restitution. Restitution clears the conscience and give you peace.
A converted soul is easily identified because that individual operates differently from the unconverted.
Converted souls speak, eat, dress, talk, walk and think different from others. The change in their lives is both inward and outward. You ought to know that whatever is within your heart is displayed on the outside.
When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and worshipped God and God delivered them with a mighty hand. There was an earthquake and a great shaking and the keeper of the prison thought that the prisoners had escape. He was about to commit suicide when the Apostle Paul called to him. The warder was relieved; then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
The jailer truly repented and was converted. When he heard the word, he immediately accepted. On receiving the gospel, he immediately became an evangelist by taking the gospel to his household.
While Stephen was expounding the Gospel of Truth to the Jews, the people became extremely angry but their anger erupted when he told them that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God in heaven. When he spoke about what he saw the people began to stone him to death. Stephen called to God to receive his spirit. However, the most remarkable thing was that he asked the Lord not to lay the sin to the charge of the murderers. This showed that Stephen was truly converted.
The word of God clearly tells us how we ought to behave and how we can inherit eternal life. Acts 3:19 tells us, “ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:7 advises, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
A converted heart is more willing to obey God than to satisfy carnal desires. Therefore, a converted heart will live by the Laws of God
Psalms 19:7 - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
2nd Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Luke 21:36 - Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Let us pray
Eternal Father, God of the Universe. Creator and Sustainer of all things. I give You the honour and majesty due to You.
Lord, I am grateful for the chance to be a new creature in Christ Jesus. I thank You that You did not give up on me while I was rebelling against You.
How can I express my gratitude for the opportunity to be named a child of the Most High God.
It is my desire to be Your ambassador. Help me to remain humble and obedient. Please help me to keep my eyes focused on godly things and not on the rudiments of this ungodly world.
I am grateful that I am no longer held captive by my carnal desires. Father I can feel Your forgiving and renewing love. Thanks for giving me a clear conscience.
As I travel on this new journey, I know that there will be challenges but I am leaving everything in Your care.
I ask that You continue to anoint me with Your power. Grant me the spiritual strength to keep on the garment of purity which You have placed on me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Writer - A. E. FISHER
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