Conversion # 3

Conversion # 3

A converted man is happy, because he has peace with God. His sins are forgiven; his conscience is free from the sense of guilt - he can look forward to death, judgment, and eternity, and not feel afraid. What an immense blessing to feel forgiven and free! He is happy because he finds order in his heart. His passions are controlled, his affections are rightly directed. Everything in his inner man, however weak and feeble, is in its right place, and not in confusion. These feelings are utterly shut up and sealed to an unconverted man. Without forgiveness of sins, without hope for the world to come, dependent on this world for comfort, unprepared to meet God, he cannot be really happy. Conversion is an essential part of true happiness.

6. Let me show you, in the last place, that conversion is a thing that may be seen. This is a part of my subject which ought never to be overlooked. Well would it be for the Church and the world, if in every age it had received more attention. Thousands have turned away in disgust from Christianity, because of the wickedness of many who profess it. Hundreds have caused the very name of conversion to stink, by the lives they have lived after declaring themselves converted. They have fancied that a few spasmodic sensations and convictions were the true grace of God. They have imagined themselves converted, because their animal feelings were excited. They have called themselves "converts" without the slightest right or title to that honored name. All this has done immense harm, and it is doing peculiar harm in the present day. The times demand a very clear assertion of the great principle - that true conversion is a thing that can always be seen. 

I admit fully that the manner of the Spirit's working is invisible. It is like the wind. It is like the attractive power of the magnet. There is something about it far beyond the reach of man's eyes or understanding. But while I admit this decidedly, I maintain no less decidedly that the effects of the Spirit's work in conversion will always be seen. Those effects may be weak and feeble at first - to the natural man they may hardly be visible, and not understood. But effects there always will be - some fruit will always be seen where there is true conversion. Where no effect can be seen, there you may be sure there is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion.

There will always be seen in a converted man's character, and feelings, and conduct, and opinions, and daily life. You will not see in him perfection; but you will see in him something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people. You will see him hating sin, loving Christ, following after holiness, taking pleasure in his Bible, persevering in prayer. You will see him penitent, humble, believing, temperate, charitable, truthful, good-tempered, patient, upright, honorable, kind. These, at any rate, will be his aims - these are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection. In some converted people you will see these things more distinctly, in others less. This only I say, wherever there is conversion, something of this kind will be seen.

I care nothing for a conversion which has neither marks nor evidences to show. Never, never, will I allow that the blessed Spirit can be in a man's heart, when no fruit of the Spirit can be seen in his life. A conversion which allows a man to live in sin, to lie, and drink, and swear, is not the conversion of the Bible. It is a counterfeit conversion, which can only please the devil, and will lead the man who is satisfied with it, not to heaven - but to hell.

Let this last point sink down into your heart and never be forgotten. Conversion is not only a Scriptural thing, a real thing, a necessary thing, a possible thing, and a happy thing - there remains one more grand characteristic about it - it is a thing that will always be seen. 

APPLICATION

I have tried to the best of my power to unfold and explain the nature of conversion. I have endeavored to set it forth in every point of view. Nothing remains but to try to bring it home to the heart of everyone into who reads this paper.

1. First of all, I urge everyone to find out whether he is converted. The heathen need conversion. The inhabitants of jails and reformatories need conversion. There may be people living near your own house who are open sinners and unbelievers, and need conversion. But all this is beside the question. I ask - Are you converted yourself?

Are you converted? It is no reply to tell me that many people are hypocrites and false professors. It is no argument to say that there are many sham revivals, and mock conversions. All this may be true - but the abuse of a thing does not destroy the use of it. Whatever others may be - Are you converted yourself? It is no answer to tell me that you go to church and have been baptized. All this proves little. The question is still not answered. Is your own heart changed? Are you really converted to God?

2. In the next place, I urge everyone who is not converted, never to rest until he is. Make haste. Flee from the wrath to come! Time is short. Eternity is near. Life is uncertain. Judgment is sure. Arise and call upon God. The throne of grace is still standing - the Lord Jesus is yet waiting to be gracious. Repent, and believe the Gospel - repent and be converted. Rest not until you know and feel that you are a converted man. 

In the last place, I offer a word of exhortation to everyone who has reason to think that he has gone through the blessed change of which I have been speaking. You can remember the time when you were not what you are now. You can remember a time when old things passed 
away, and all things became new.

A. Do you think that you are converted? Then give all diligence to make your calling and conversion sure. Leave nothing uncertain that concerns your immortal soul. It is good to have hope - it is far better to feel sure.

B. Labor and desire to grow in grace every year that you live. Look not to the things behind; be not content with old experiences, old grace, old attainments in religion. Entreat the Lord to carry on the work of conversion more and more in your soul, and to deepen spiritual impressions within you. Read your Bible more carefully every year - watch over your prayers more jealously. Beware of becoming sleepy and lazy in your religion.  Strive to get on in knowledge, faith, hope, charity, and patience. 

C. Do you think you are converted? Then show the value you place on conversion by your diligence in trying to do good to others.  Do you really think that conversion is an unspeakable blessing? Then prove it by constant zealous efforts to promote the conversion of others. Look around the neighborhood where you live - have compassion on the multitudes who are yet unconverted. Be not content with getting them to come to your church; aim at nothing less than their entire conversion to God. Pray for them, stir up others to help them. But never, never - if you are a converted man, never be content to go to heaven alone!

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)