Conversion

by J. BENNISON | Category: For Young Believers | Feb 1951

In a previous talk we endeavoured to make clear that the New Birth, called in Scripture Regeneration, is the Holy Spirit's work "born from above"-and the new life is the gift of God. Elsewhere it is referred to as a quickening: "You did He quicken (make alive) when ye were dead through your trespasses and sin " (Ephesians 2.1).

Conversion is the turning to God, so that our life becomes changed both in character and conduct. Regeneration is the imparting of a new nature, the imparting of a new life. Conversion is a change of character. In regeneration I am born again, in conversion am turned again. So that a regenerated life becomes a converted life.

It may be of interest to note that the noun conversion only occurs once in the New Testament (Acts 15.8), where it is used of the Gentile converts, though it frequently occurs in verbal form, as for instance,

"When thou are converted strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22.32).

"If any among you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death" (James 5.19, 20).

Both these passages refer to erring believers.

Regeneration is a divine work and can never be repeated; whilst conversion may take place again and again. A born-again person can never become unregenerate, but there is the sad possibility of a child of God turning back to his former manner of life. Certain of the disciples "went back and walked no more with Him" (John 6.66). Remember Lot's wife. There is ever the danger of looking and turning back. Mercifully for us God's all-sufficient grace is unfailing to preserve us from going back to the beggarly elements the world. Having been called, the Holy Spirit has quickened us into newness of life. The outcome of this has been a deliberate turning to God. There is no more terse and telling instance of conversion in the New Testament than that of the Thessalonian believers, of whom the Holy Spirit says, "Ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God arid to wait for His Son from heaven " (1 Thessalonians 1. 9, 10).

This turning to God is the secret of blessing. It indicates a changed attitude. The scripture does not say, "they turned from idols to God," which presupposes a turning from sin before you come to God. What it does say is that they "turned to God," and the consequence was that they turned from their idols.

I agree, there are some who arc horn again very early in life and looking back are unable to recall any change in the sense in which we are now speaking. Though this may be so, there must have been a moment, a supreme moment, when the great decision for Christ was made. In those tender years the mind was awakened and looked to the Saviour. There must have been some preparation for that decision. The influences of a pious home; the patient instruction and prayers of a godly mother; the example of a Christian father, all these and other forces, but, above all, the broodings of the Holy Spirit led up to the final step.

Having then been made alive through Jesus Christ, it follow" that converted persons should continue to live "looking unto Jesus." Having turned unto the living and true God, they should henceforth live unto Him. What a glorious privilege. Let us then seek grace that we shall detach ourselves from anything and everything that would make our lives ineffectual, evidencing that we are truly converted, affirming yet again

'Tis done, the great transaction's done,

I am my Lord's, and He is mine.

He drew me, and I followed on,

Charmed to confess the voice divine.

Make the claim of Christ the one and only thing worth living for. Go forth to live Christ, ever acknowledging His Lordship.

J. BENNISON | Feb 1951
For Young Believers