#true conversion

by J.C. Ryle

Would we know whether we are really converted? Would we know the test by which we must try ourselves? The surest mark of true conversion is humility.

The story goes that Charles Spurgeon, the great pastor in nineteenth-century London, was walking down the street one day when a man who was drunk and leaning on a lamppost yelled out to him:

“Hey, Mr. Spurgeon, do you remember me?”

“No, why should I?”

“Because I’m one of your converts!”

"Conversion and Salvation must, in the very nature of things, be wrought and effected by ourselves alone, or by ourselves and God together, or solely by God Himself. The Pelagians were for the first. The Arminians are for the second. TRUE BELIEVERS are for the last, because the last hypothesis, and that only, is built on the strongest evidence of Scripture, reason, and experience: it most effectually hides pride from man, and sets the crown of undivided praise upon the head, or rather casts it at the feet, of that glorious Triune God, who worketh all in all."

Jerome Zanchius- The Doctrine of Absolute Predestination

What Jerome Zanchius is saying is that either salvation comes about by ourselves alone or by us cooperating with God's grace or salvation is a sole act of God, whereby he effectually calls whom he pleases to come to Christ.

1.) The first view is Pelagianism and that is we can save ourselves and do not need God's intervention. This is heretical.

2.) The second view is known as semi-pelagainism or Arminianism and is popular in the United States. It states that we cooperate with God to bring about salvation in our lives. You hear this view from modern-day pulpits, which state that Christ has taken 99 steps and all you must do is take 1 step in order to make salvation effective. This view, even though it gives most of the glory to Christ, nevertheless, it is heretical because it isn't Biblical. It gives more power to fallen men than what scripture allows.

3.) The third view or what is known as Calvinism is the only Biblical viewpoint of the three. Scripture plainly states that there is none righteous and none that doeth good. Certainly, if we had the ability to choose Christ, then our choosing Christ would be a righteous and good act. Yet, scripture goes on to say that there are none that seeketh after God Rom. 3:10-12 and that we are blind, ignorant, alienated from the things of God, and dead in trespasses and sin Eph. 2:1 & 4:18 and we must be quickened while in this state of death Eph. 2:1, in order to believe in Christ. Hence, this is what Christ told Nicodemus: Except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God and except a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God John 3:3, 5.

A few days ago, I had an interesting conversation with my father-in-law about true conversions. There was a deep concern that he had for many who profess to be Christians but their life reflect otherwise. He had talked to me about many who had been baptized without ever truly knowing Christ. Its actually very common! I, myself, remembered responding to the gospel, only 5 minutes before my baptism. But I had told everyone previously in the church that I was saved for 5-6 years. Thankfully I heard the full gospel that morning and was immediately convicted of my need for Jesus Christ as my savior. I am not here to debate baptism. I'm blogging concerning something more deep in the roots.

Knowing God and learning theology is not like learning/knowing other sciences or subjects.  It deals with one’s heart.  It is also taught by God himself by scriptures. Jonathan Edwards, one of the 'Great Awakening' preachers, said that there was a difference between natural religion and Christianity.  Natural religion can infer many truths about God and religious duties, but is based on plain and general revelation.  This can bring about an unpretentious lifestyle among those in natural religion.  However, Christianity is not just information and duties.  It is not self-evident.  It is only evident by special revelation.  God, himself, reveals his truth, which is Christ(Logos), through the Holy Ghost, breathing the gospel to whom He may will.

Scriptures reveal and provide all that we need to know about the triune God, our obligations, and our enjoyment in God.  Scriptures provide everything we need in life and holiness today and the afterlife.  Here is a slight comparison between speculation, which is of natural religion vs. spiritual, which can only lead to Christ.

We need to speculate to have a better spiritual understanding and for the Holy Spirit to have his way with us, when he wants and if he wants.  How can one know the truth unless the truth is preached?  We need to speculate in order that we may be illuminated.  (God is not restricted to that but He chose to reveal himself through such channels.)  It’s written in the Book of Romans that the letter kills, and the law puts a burden on us that we cannot bear.(2 Cor.3:6)  Speculative knowledge without Special Revelation is of no purpose.  We will continue to carry the condemnation that the law brings us unless we are illuminated and faith is gifted.  Our eyes will then behold Christ, and him crucified.  Our speculation suddenly because a mystery.  A mystery that we cannot explain but only point to his grace.  This grace takes away the burden of our condemnation because Christ chose to carry them for us.  In exchange, he imputes his righteousness on us.  "He, who knew no sin, became sin, that we may become the righteousness of God."(2 Corinthians 5:21)  Christ, rightfully became the second Adam, reversing the chaos that the first Adam created.  The crippled 'will', is no longer alive to us.  But as we are awakened, our will is alive to Christ!  Our will is new because of the new resident in our hearts, creating new righteous inclinations, giving us everything we need to make sure that the dead man never has a fighting chance at our soul!  We are forever His.  Only special revelation get us here.  Illumination is revelation for the new man. Speculation is revelation for the dead man.  Illumination is for those who are predestined to be in Christ - called according to his purpose, to be conformed to the image of his Son - making our calling, justification, and glorification sure!(Romans 8:28,29)  Speculation as means to an end, is the deliberate choice of one to be blind-sided to their sin and reject the illumination.