Thrice-Fold Conversions Psalm 51:13b
“… [S]inners shall be converted unto [T]hee.”
God is interested in the full conversion of sinners, and not in their partial conversion. The writer hopes to assist his readers in understanding this truth. He believes this study will clear up many difficulties, however it will not appeal to the growth-minded “soul-winners” or their number-loving pastors.
Let a question now be asked. If, through the “constant dripping” of a spouse or the constant visits of a pastor, a person begins attending church on Sunday instead of spending Sunday in their normal manner… has this person been converted? One may say “no”, but this writer would disagree with that answer. The newly church-attending person has in fact been converted…bodily, but not eternally.
What if a person readily admits that “Jesus” was a good man, but not the Son of God- yet through discussion comes to acknowledge that “Jesus” is the Christ and the Son of God? Is that person converted? Yes, he has been intellectually converted, but not eternally.
What about the “hero-worshipping” types? They come to see the works, miracles, and love of Christ, and confess a deep respect for Him. Is this person converted? Yes, they have been converted in their affections for Christ, but not eternally.
The obvious (or maybe not so obvious) problem with the above conversions is that they never endure. A truly Holy Spirit converted person is converted fully and forever. They have been converted in the intellect, in the affections, and in their bodies or actions. Have you, my reader, been converted? How about “your converts”? Do you care about the veracity of their conversion, or are you more concerned with the number of your converts?
Go to the Scriptures now and read Hebrews 6:4-6 with the above in mind.
Both writer and reader have seen many people come and go. The question may be asked, “Why have they departed? What has happened to so and so? They started out so well, but now they are gone. Why?” Now you know.
The 1/3 conversion is not a true conversion; nor is the 2/3 conversion true. The only true conversion is a 3/3 conversion, or stated differently - the only true conversion is that of the whole person; and only the sovereign God, Himself, can do that. With God it is either all or nothing.
Buried in Christ,
St. Loder
posted by Scribe at 8:20 AM
4 Comments:
Sam, Excellent!!!!
October 29, 2007 10:55 AM
Scribes,
Great post! I wonder how many folks are walking around thinking they are truly cnverted when in fact they are not. I sometimes wonder about these Revivals that go on, You hear of many folks that come out of the Revivals with such fire and a week later there is no change, they return to the way they were before, until the next revival they attend.
I also hear from Pastors, we've had 10 people come to Christ in the past month, we've had 6 baptisms in the past two months, we have 10 new members etc, etc, etc...numbers, numbers, numbers.
Also, when you look how the gospel is presented these past few years decades, skits, concerts, ALPHA, I again wonder how many folks are really shown the proper path the Christ? How many believe they have been converted, and are still dead in sin?
Cristina
October 29, 2007 1:46 PM
Cristina,
I always, always cringe when I hear those numbers... "We had [any given number] of people come to Christ," etc. And then I hear the people applaud or cheer and all the sighs from the audience. It seems to be all about pleasing men and pastors who say these things - as though they receive the credit.
On the way to church this past Sunday I saw a big sign by one church screaming "Revival!" and another church even had "Miracle Night!" on its marquee. I had to almost smile as I thought, "Wow, I wonder how those folks know God is going to move tonight?"
October 29, 2007 3:33 PM
Sam,
Good post. The parable of the Four soils comes to mind.
October 29, 2007 9:45 PM
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