What is conversion?
It is a genuine turning of the heart to God from one’s own previous course.
Other things can be mistaken for it. There may be a change of ways, a profession made, a religious course adopted, but the heart still remains a stranger to God.
In true and full conversion to God there is the sense of deep need, of guilt and unworthiness. When the soul is brought into the light of the divine presence and the conscience comes in contact with the glory, then God is heard to speak. The sinner sees the crucified Lord and confesses his sin.
It is then also through the word of the gospel that Christ is seen as the Saviour, and trusted in. The gospel brings knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sins. In full, genuine conversion, the Lord Jesus Christ becomes personally known. The guilty conscience is set at rest, and the heart is satisfied. Every truly converted soul is a miracle of God’s grace.
For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9