Praise God! I want to thank The Lord that we can all be here today (wherever and whenever that might be for you.) Before we get started I would like to say that the subject we are about to discuss is not a common teaching found in the world today. I am telling you this, because it may be the first time that you are hearing the things being said. If so, you will most likely be challenged to accept or reject what you do hear. Let’s let God be true and count all others as lies. Amen? If you have not heard before, why?
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
BUT as for me… Job 27:11 says I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
AND… Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
What is the difference between God’s Way and mankind’s way? His way is perfect and ours is not…
Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
So, how much different (really) is God’s way than ours? Man will tell you “faith plus nothing”. Is this truly God’s Way though? Notice that there is no patience involved in what I said man’s way is? No suffering either, is there? Just how much work would it be to be God, the creator of our universe, and to humble yourself to be made a man, be despised by your creation, rejected, spit upon, and then – yes, crucified! Pitiful, isn’t it?
Thank God! James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Let me ask again, who’s way is being proclaimed in this world that says faith plus nothing merits salvation in the sight of God? Jesus said this (below) about the cross. As you read, ask yourself this: where did the cross lead Him? Are you better than He is? He came here to set an example for us…
Luke 9:23-26 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
The Miracle of Conversion
The Miracle of Conversion is yet another part in this group of teachings entitled “The Process of Salvation”. Thus far, we have discussed the overview of what is the Grace that Brings Salvation is, then God’s Drawing, Leading, and Pursuit: Know the Difference, then the beginning of our Journey: The Process of Repentance, and last week: The Law of Sin and Death.
Jesus said, Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Our Lord and Savior is telling us that we must be “converted” if we want to be saved. I don’t know about you, but I take God’s Word seriously and so I want to know why Jesus said this, and what He meant by it?
Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
So, what does this word “converted” or “conversion” mean? Many might think that it only pertains to those who did not believe in Jesus Christ, but have now been “converted” from another religion to Christianity. While it can, indeed mean this, we find more often that this is not what the scripture found in the King James Bible is referring to.
“Conversion” is a subject that seems to not be mentioned or taught much these days. This seems odd since conversion is part of God’s “Process of Salvation”. It usually happens some time after the process of repentance has begun, but always takes place before a sinner is truly and saved in the sight of God (proof in the opening scripture.)
The fact of the matter is that if a person really experiences conversion in their life, it will, no doubt, be one of the most precious gifts that they ever receive of God! Why? Because we are not talking about merely changing religion here, but rather the miracle that takes place as God changes our lives; sending the gift of His Spirit into our hearts!
Let’s take a closer look at this word “conversion”. Here are some synonyms of “conversion” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conversion
changeover, metamorphosis, transfiguration, transformation
Now, I mentioned that conversion must always take place before a person is saved. Here is why this statement may not make sense to some people:
Most people who have ever attended a church service at one of the many sites that claim to follow “Christianity” have witnessed what is called and altar call. Perhaps not all of these organizations do this, but more often than not, they call their visitors to the altar to “get saved”. Well, unfortunately, the Holy Bible does not teach that we can be saved in an instant of time! There are many verses of scripture to prove this. Here are the first few that comes to mind…
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Point made? So why are people so quick to skip the most crucial step in this process of salvation? That is easy – deception. Instant Salvation, or Faith plus nothing, both yield exactly that in the sight of God: nothing. satan is spreading the word of deceit throughout the world, one church at a time. he owns this world, and he also owns more than the majority share of religious organizations in this world today, and in past times as well.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Most people do not take part in things that they find no pleasure in, now do they? Why then do most people who claim to be “Christians” say that they are still enslaved to sin? If you listened in last week, I already told you… they are stuck at the Law of Sin and Death. -Being (at one time) repentant and now stuck between a lie and what they know about their own carnal nature. They will tell you not that they were sinners, but that they are sinners saved by grace. Well, not by the grace of God Almighty, creator of this universe! In doing so, they are judging God’s Word incapable of removing sin from a person’s life. -Nothing could be further from the truth!
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If instant salvation is not the real salvation of God (and it isn’t), then how exactly are we saved by Jesus Christ? As with all things pertaining to the Gospel, this is simple: through and by His Word. The problem is that the carnal man (or woman) cannot understand the things of God, so without His Spirit to lead and guide them into all Truth, they will never come to the full knowledge of the Word of Truth that they might truly be saved in God’s sight.
However, if God has drawn us and we are truly repentant out of godly sorrow, we will ask for forgiveness, and perform our other first works, like water baptism and confession. When God sees our sincerity, He is bound by His Word to begin His work in us. He starts this ‘internal’ work by coming into their hearts by His Spirit. This purifies our heart and frees us from the power that sin once held over our lives. The work of salvation is not complete here at this point in time, but we are well on our way to win the race if we continue on in His Word.
Romans 8:6-9 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
Mark 4:11-12 And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
John 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
John 14:15-18 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (Jesus was with them speaking at that time. He begun to be “in” them during the account found in the Book of Acts on the day of Pentecost.)
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
It is no big secret that some organizations have thrown many of the teachings of the Gospel of Christ out the window. They may tell you that you do not need His Spirit within to be saved, or, on the contrary, that you need evidence(s) that the bible does not teach. Others will say that water baptism is not essential to salvation, or possibly even repentance! I have even heard that some preach that all people are saved as they are!!!
1 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Wake up people! Why do we not want to wait on anything (including God)? Because the god of this world (the devil) has conditioned us to get everything in a split second of time. Where do you think that man comes up with these inventions, like automobiles and microwave ovens? But God wants us to wait on Him with patience… if we have none, we are much less likely to wait! If we do decide to wait, what has all of these inventions really done for us? We are so busy that we barely have time to spend on anything that does not amuse us or serve our bellies!
Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Luke 4:5-8 And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Philippians 3:17-21 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
1 Corinthians 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.
Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The Order of Things
Within the “Process of Salvation” there are several steps. Although each individual’s walk with Christ is personal and somewhat unique, we all come the same way; to the “Unity of The Faith”. These steps are ordered in the fashion that most will find to take place in their journey, however, some steps might just occur in a slightly different order for some, or even take more time than it does for others. One thing is for sure: Our Lord knows what is best for us, and He is more than able to see us through to the end!
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
Here are the basic steps:
1. Jesus Christ came to this earth and provided Himself, a sacrifice for our sins. He died once unto sin, but was raised again unto life eternal, giving power to His Will and Testament
2. God draws us to repentance through godly sorrow and His Word so that we might believe the Truth and be saved
3. We become repentant, acknowledging The Truth and desiring to change our ways and have fellowship with God, and eventually become so sorrowful that we are asking God for forgiveness for our sin
4. We then submit to God’s Word again by consenting to water baptism
5. We either begin to be enlightened to the Law of Sin and Death, or we have already been through this as we were first becoming repentant
6. God sends His Spirit into our hearts, converting us by cleansing our hearts. This frees us from the power of sin. We now have a heart that dwells on the things of God, rather than our own selfish desires.
7. Now that we are “free from sin”, we must continue to obey God’s Word. As His Spirit leads us through it, we gain the knowledge of God. This process now begins to cleanse our minds. This is the Spiritual Baptism or “Baptism of the Holy Ghost”.
8. As our minds are renewed, our flesh can no longer ‘trick’ it and “bring it into captivity” (as Paul explained in our last lesson “The Law of Sin and Death”). Through our “patient continuance”, we are “crucifying our flesh, with the affections and lusts” that have grown there ever since our physical birth into this world.
This is how we work together with God to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures
1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hebrews 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
2. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
3. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
4. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. Romans 7:23-24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
6. Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. > Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Acts 15:8-9 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Titus 3:4-6 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Hebrews 4:9-12 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Acts 13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
In Closing, I would like to thank Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for showing to us The Truth of His Glorious Gospel. May the peace of God that passes all understanding enlighten the hearts and minds that have taken the time to listen or read with us here. As we continue on, if the Lord will, the plan is to discuss water baptism at our next appointed time together in The Spirit.
Until then, may God continue to bless you all with Truth. Amen.
rob@INTRUTH.site
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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