Answered Scripture

We hear the word conversion in society today regarding our spiritual walk. What exactly does this word mean concerning this walk? In short, it’s a change in how we live our lives. The dictionary defines it as “the process of changing or causing something to change one form to another; the fact of changing one’s religion or beliefs or the action of persuading someone else to change theirs.”

This process begins with God’s calling. There is something in each of us: a need for understanding life and a need for God Himself. Unfortunately, today’s society tries to fill this need with everything but God, which is the reason for so many people diagnosed with depression or anxiety. I may go over that subject in another blog, but for now, we understand there is a need/want for understanding found within us, and God made us that way.

Once we accept how this need is fulfilled, the doors open to a way of life that God intended. Diving into His Word is the first step in this process of conversion. When we accept the calling that He provides each of us (Deuteronomy 30:19), we understand more when we read His Word. Things begin to make more sense, life isn’t such a big mystery. But along with that is accepting His way of life.

Do you find yourself confused by all the different religions out there, claiming to be the “chosen” religion? You’re not alone. So, how can we know what we are doing is correct and be part of God’s true “church”? This is where searching the Bible for His truth comes into play in our conversion process. We must be willing to look honestly at the facts and accept the truth He gives us, which is revealed in the Scriptures (John 17:17).

To start, we need to set our bias aside, what we were taught, things that have been handed down from generation to generation, and truly dive into God’s word to see what He tells us. We should never rely on a person(s) just because they may have a title or a degree. We all can look/study/read God’s word for ourselves. The Bible interprets the Bible, not man.

Next, once we accept His truth, what the Scriptures teach us, we must act on them. Repentance is the first step in that process. Facing our faults does not come easily as a human being, and we all have them, no matter how many times we may convince ourselves that we don’t. This is what God wants out of us: to repent (2 Peter 3:9), understand what we are doing wrong, and change accordingly.

Yehoshua explained the different reactions to how people understand/accept God’s word. We find this parable in several places (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8). Within this conversion process, a person who accepts God’s word takes it seriously and puts it into practice, and some will accept it, but that is as far as it goes. The parable of the workers in the vineyard is an excellent example of this. You can find that in Matthew 20, “…For many are called, but few are chosen.”

True conversion comes when we accept the truth and live the truth. That means putting God first in our lives in EVERYTHING. This shows through our conduct in life, and it changes us completely. I associate it with the two greatest commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart, body, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Truly committing to these two commandments is what a truly converted person is. Our response to this special calling is obeying God in all things, including His commandments, not only in the letter but spiritually.

But being called and chosen also means being faithful. Will we stumble, of course. That is why in the conversion process we have baptism and hands laid on us after we repent to receive God’s help. We as humans cannot live the life that He expects without help. He offers us that help through the Holy Spirit. By surrendering our will to God so His Spirit can guide our hearts and conduct, we are chosen for salvation…to have part in His eternal Kingdom. With all this, our lives, every day, need to reflect His ways, no matter the circumstance.

God doesn’t just tell us something and have us figure it out alone. He provides the way to walk through this life with Him, and we need to continue in the life we converted to. Yehoshua told us what we need to do: ask, seek, and knock, and God will be there to help. Matthew 7:7 states, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

We who remain loyal to Him will be the true “called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:12-14) people of God. So, continue your journey of conversion in this life God has given us. It’s our choice. And that choice is not merely a one-time decision. We must commit ourselves to that choice and persevere to the end (Matthew 24:13). Until next time…