PRINCESS ENA OF BATTENBERG is to be married to the King of Spain. But, first of all, we are told, she is to be "converted." The newspapers announce that her "conversion" will take place very quietly at Biarritz.
What does it all mean? The question may well be asked, for such talk sounds strange to English ears. To put it into plain language, it means that Princess Ena, in order to become Queen of Spain, will turn her back upon Protestantism and become a Roman Catholic.
But does "conversion" consist in a mere change of religion? It is well that we should be clear upon this point, for upon conversion depends much that is vital. Issues of tremendous importance are staked upon it. To be truly converted means that one is an heir of heaven. To remain unconverted means that one is on the road to eternal doom.
We cannot be too emphatic in saving that conversion is not a mere change of religion. A man may renounce Buddhism or Mohammedanism in favor of Christianity, or he may exchange a grossly corrupt form of Christianity for orthodoxy of the most correct kind, yet all the time he may remain utterly unconverted.
Conversion is an outward turning that is the result of an inward work of God in the soul. It is a turning, not from one religion to another, not merely from drunkenness to sobriety, or from sinful habits to a moral life. It is a turning of the soul to God; a turning from darkness to light; from sin to salvation; from self to Christ. But no one turns to God after this manner unless God Himself works in the soul. The new birth is as necessary for effectual conversion as it is for the enjoyment of any other blessing. Unless you have been born again, reader, do not dare to speak of yourself as "converted.”
You have perhaps been the subject of certain impressions at an evangelistic service. You have thought how nice it would' be to be a Christian. And, along with others, you have expressed your intention to serve God and lead a better life.
But if this is all, do not delude yourself with the idea that you are converted. Conversion is a change far deeper than that. A truly converted person has discovered himself to be utterly lost, vile and helpless. He has come as a wretched sinner to Jesus, not to give, or promise anything, but to receive forgiveness and salvation. His faith rests, not on any act of his own (whether called "decision for Christ," "giving the heart to God," or anything else), but on the work of atonement which JESUS did, long centuries ago. He knows that because of that work God can righteously justify an ungodly sinner. His sins are washed away by the precious blood of Christ. Grace has saved him and now grace teaches him. If rightly instructed, the genuinely converted person does not put himself under law, or set about making rules and regulations to shape his conduct. He keeps his eye upon Christ. The Spirit of God indwells him, and becomes his guide. As the days fly past he grows in the knowledge of Christ, and finds happy occupation in serving Him, until He comes.
Reader, do you know anything of "conversion" after this fashion? Do not be content with anything short of it. Take your Bible and hunt up the passages which speak of it. Read Matt. 18:33And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3); Acts 3:1919Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19); 1 Thess. 1:9, 10; 19For 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) Corinth. 6:11. And may God give you no rest until you can say truly: “I am converted." H. P. B.