What Is Conversion?

DOUBTLESS every decade brings with it a fresh batch of youthful, and thanks be to God, of aged inquirers too. Yea, also of persons in every stage of existence, be they young or old, rich or poor, all of whom are interested in this solemn question. Within each and every one who is born into this world there is this deep need of Conversion. What, therefore, can it be which is of such paramount importance to every soul of man? What is Conversion?
The best answer that can be given to this solemn inquiry is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 109For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9‑10), “How ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.” Yes, indeed, conversion is a real “turning to God.” The dictionary, under the heading of conversion, says it is a “change from one thing or state to another.” The whole being, body and soul, is affected by it. Body and soul are both turned to God. That soul, which was once turned away from Him, and which was under the influence and control of Satan, is by conversion brought to acknowledge Him. It is brought to confess that He is God. It is brought to own Him as a Just God and a Saviour. Moreover, that soul has seen itself in the light of His presence. Such an one has, like Job of old, seen Him. Job declares, “But now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Marvelous effects these upon Job, — seeing God produced in him self-abhorrence.
Yes, God is Light (John 1:1-101In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:1‑10)). “In Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:55This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)). Man is darkness as Paul shows by Ephesians 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8). Naturally Job was darkness; He was by nature and in practice a sinner, but he was justified and pardoned by God. It was the light which God was that revealed all the darkness of Job’s character to Job himself. Hence his self-abhorrence. But mere self-abhorrence was not all, — “and repent in dust and ashes,” says Job. Here, then, we have these two very necessary things brought forward — self-abhorrence when the light of God’s presence is known and felt; and repentance in its most lowly form — “in dust and ashes.”
Conversion is in point of fact so complete a turning round, that the face that was once toward Satan is now turned to God. The one who was once bound for hell is now bound for heaven. And why? Simply because that one has heard the gospel — the glad tidings that Jesus the Lord was crucified and died in his room and stead upon the cross. He who hung there was there for me. Truly He suffered instead of me. He died for me (Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4); Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)). It was indeed a vicarious death, that death of God’s Son upon the cross. But that death was more than vicarious, for it also satisfied all the claims which a holy God had upon me, and beyond meeting and satisfying these claims, it glorified God abundantly, so much so that Christ was raised the third day from among the dead by the glory of the Father.
Now, dear reader, do you believe that Jesus died, and died for you? Do you believe that He was raised from the dead? Do you believe that for you He ascended up to heaven? To know this, to believe this, is to have a Saviour — a Saviour, too, at God’s right hand, and one who is personally coming for you, — “to receive you unto Myself,” as He said. J. R.