FRUIT FUL CONVERSION

Bro. Babu Philip, Bahrain

Bible, the word of God gives greatest importance for the conversion of people. The religions in the world too are focusing much attention in conversion of people, but sadly just for getting peoples’ allegiance changed to the religion of their’s from other religions. Of course, in such conversions people shift their allegiance from one religion to another and they may too accept new norms in their clothing, religious rituals, etc; but you may not find any qualitative improvements in their behavior and outlook after embracing the new religion.  On the other hand,  the conversion  the Bible seeks from people is that of their total transformation in their attitude and behavioral pattern as a result of one’s acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her  Lord  and Saviour. The conversion thus takes place causes one to be acceptable in the family, society and nation; howsoever unacceptable and wretched he may have been in the past. However, a true convert may still be unacceptable to those bad elements with whom he has been in association in the past or those oppose to accept the truth.

According to the Bible all people, irrespective of their age, sex, nationality, creed, color, or such other differences are required to confess of the sins in them and convert to become new creations by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The conversion mentioned here is applicable for all human beings as all are sinners in the sight of God.  God is most holy, and he doesn’t like sins and accept men who live in sins. So, all men are required to believe and trust in Jesus Christ, the son of God who came into the world in order to save the mankind from their sins.  He, who was equal with God or God himself came in to this world taking the form of an human being and offered himself a perfect sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for the penalty of sins on behalf of the whole mankind. God desires that all people are absolved of their sins and converted as new creations by their faith in Jesus Christ so that they may receive the acceptance of God for entry into His Kingdom and enjoy heavenly blessings for eternity. People who do not convert by faith in Lord Jesus Christ will perish, and they will have to undergo punishment in hell where the experience is of fire and all sorts of weeping and tormenting. The Bible verse John 3:16 emphasize this point very clearly as, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

We have seen that the matter of conversion attaches much importance as this decides the fate of one’s eternity.  That’s why Lord Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to preach this message to all people unto the uttermost parts of the world.  Today, the message of gospel is thus spread over the world through all available media, like gospel tracts, booklets, radio, television, internet, etc.

Let’s see what happens in conversion. When a man seeks true God and hears the gospel, the spirit of God helps him to understand the essence of the message and reveals him the deity of Jesus Christ and his uniqueness as a man, convinces him of the sins in him, the righteousness that he can obtain through the faith in Christ and also the judgment awaiting him if rejects this free gift of salvation. Upon one’s conviction of these facts he confesses with his mouth the Lord Jesus, and believes in his heart for his resurrection from dead; and thus he is saved and becomes a child of God. Through the ages millions of people could hear the good news of salvation by faith in Lord Jesus Christ and of them many repented for their sins and converted to become new creations; to be guided and controlled further by the Holy Spirit according to the teachings of the word of God.

The initial disciples of Lord Jesus Christ are the best models before us for their converted lives.  The lives of the disciples were totally changed after their conversion and they proved to be truly new creations in Christ.  These apostles could influence the society of their time and people in thousands were led to conversion from their wicked ways.  In Acts chapter 19 we see a wonderful picture of a conversion thus took place, where a man who used to live by his black magic arts did turn from this sinful act and volunteered to burn the books thereof which were of very high price. The number of such conversions was so great in magnitude that the Apostles by whose preachings these conversions brought about were termed as people, who turned the world upside down by the authorities of their time.

Not only the original apostles, but scores of disciples of later age also had this zeal and power in them and thus influence the societies of their time.  I would like to bring to your attention an example of just one such personality who is none other than Abraham Lincoln, the late great President of the United States of America, whose name remains engraved in golden letters in history for his contribution for abolition of slavery. I put his quote here and you may notice from this that how magnificent was the conversion that worked in him, “I believe I am an humble servant in the hands of our Heavenly Father; I desire that all my words and acts may be according to His will." -- Abraham Lincoln. See how this great man is concerned of his words and acts; certainly he must have converted in to this high attitude upon his trust in the Lord. The conversion in him moved his heart to think about the human sufferings on account of slavery prevailing those days and work for its total abolition. God expects all people to be converted and honor him with the word of mouth and with the actions, in similar fashion.  Beloved, we are true worshippers and God wants us to worship him in spirit and truth.  Let’s dedicate ourselves to worship the God with our mouth and with our actions of good works and fellowship. (Hbr 13:15-16).

Unfortunately, though we know doctrines much; but often fail to implement these in our practical life. In this regard I would like to bring before you an account of a testimony. A brother in his testimony while narrating many things he was mentioning that he was able to come to the Gulf on his own merit without catch holding anybody’s leg.  Knowingly or unknowingly, he was boasting of his abilities and the matter becomes more ridiculous as this boasting exercise was in front of many other believers who happened to have come to the Gulf with the help of other brethren.  In essence, the testimony went off not only belittling the fellow brethren, but the God alike who gave him abilities.  In this connection, I am reminded of the folly that happened in David’s life. God found David while he was still a shepherd boy and raised him to be the king of Israel. God strengthened him to have victory over the giant Goliath, against Saul who wanted to kill him many times. He gave him victories over his enemies who were many folds stronger than him by the strength of their armies. In all these things God was his source of power, and nothing else. But, David forgot all these in one moment, and we see him going for counting the number of Israelites in order to have trust on the strength of his army rather than trusting continually on the God who has been his strength and provider all through the past difficult days. Though David repented of his sin later, he had to bear the brunt of it, as 70,000 people were killed by a plague that God sent. Beloved, be reminded that our God is not only a loving God, but a God of consuming fire too. We need to glorify God for whatever we have, whether wealth, health, education, abilities; whatsoever. Abraham Lincoln upheld the right attitude in this regard. Apostle Paul says he is able to do many things, but because of the one who strengthens him.

Let us examine ourselves to see whether we are fruitful in terms of the conversion we ought to have in us. Let’s strive to follow the models of true conversions that we have considered thus far; as in the case of the Apostles, the converted black magic man and Abraham Lincoln.  Let’s continue to abide in Christ as branches of the vain and bear fruits according to the conversion that we received from Him and be fruitful for the glorification of God and service of mankind.  Let’s humble ourselves and pray to the lord that he may lead us to have fruitful conversions in our life.