What does it mean to "be converted," in the
Christian sense? Here is a definition
that I read yesterday that I think says
it well. Conversion is not an act of
moral self-improvement but rather,
"A complete
reversal in one's way of life, a fundamental break with sin because it is
sin. Conversion, however, can only be
conversion when it bears a primarily religious character; that is, when we have
learned to know sin - as God views it - in the light of his holy law, as it
dishonors him and makes him angry."[1]
We often think of conversion as moving from a point where we don’t
have faith to a place where we very definitely have faith in Christ as Savior
and Lord. It is easy to think of Christ
as a Savior, as our Savior, and therefore saving us from our sins. This definition of conversion puts meat on
the bones of what our sin is and how offensive it is to God.
The author of the definition, Herman Bavinck, then adds
this:
"True conversion,
accordingly, encompasses the whole person, including one's intellect, heart,
will, soul and body. It makes one break
with sin across the board and devote one's entire person and life to God's way
and God's service."[2]
Those words teach of how radically different our life is to
be as one of Christ's own. Every part,
"intellect, heart, will, soul and body" devoted to "God's way
and God's service." Conversion
means being attached more to God than to the things that separate us from Him.
Bavinck's words also remind me that conversion is both
something that has happened in my life as a one-time event, and that it is also
something that happens as an ongoing activity. As Christians, we are converted and we are also being converted. Our bond is with Christ, and as a result our
intellect, heart, soul, will and body need to be continually shaped to be more
and more in His image.
As one year draws to an end and a new one sits on the close
horizon I am thankful to remember that God has saved me, and to also know that
each day He is continuing to work on me.
Converted, and yet being converted, to the glory of
God. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment