Page 59 - TH200 Abundant Life A4 Final

Conversion: Turning from Old to New

social, intellectual, or economic level should be lost. In the miracle of
Paul we see that God’s grace can change a persecutor into a preacher.

The Experience of Conversion

The Means of Conversion

Some say that conversion is solely an act of God; others say it is all
done by the person. It is necessary for us to see the biblical balance. We
will consider this issue in greater depth in Chapter 5, “The Will of God
in Salvation.” There we will see
the importance of a person’s
free will in the experience
of conversion and how God We need balance in our
moves people toward himself. views that neither denies
We need balance in our views
that neither denies humanity’s humanity’s free will nor
free will nor limits God’s limits God’s sovereignty.
sovereignty. Let’s keep this
in mind as we consider the
means of conversion.

Scriptures such as Proverbs 1:24; Isaiah 31:6; Ezekiel 18:32;
Hosea 12:6; and Joel 2:12–13 indicate that God calls or urges people to
turn from their sin to Him. Other Scriptures such as Jeremiah 31:18 and
Lamentations 5:21 indicate that God clears the way for people to turn to
Him so that they can respond favorably to His call.

These Scriptures indicate the human and divine aspects of conversion.
God always respects the will of people. When He created Adam and
gave him personality, God made a creature that could either respond
to His offer of salvation and turn wholly to Him or reject and turn from
Him. God begins the process that brings conversion through the Word
and the Holy Spirit, but we must respond to the call of the Spirit through
the Word and experience conversion. Our willing response to God’s call
through the gospel does not involve merit. God respects our will and
thus calls us to turn to Him.

When we turn to God, we simply allow Him to step across the
threshold and take control of our lives (Revelation 3:20). We can picture

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