Free Newsletters

on Kyria.com

« Celebrating Milestones of Faith | Main | Create a Culture of Mentorship »

December 28, 2007

New Conversions or Changed Lives?

by by Jill Briscoe

This article is Part II. Part I of this article appears here.

Someone once said of William Penn's conversion: "Conversion must not be considered simply as a change of opinion. It penetrated his moral nature: it made him a new man. He was raised into another sphere and consciousness."

I've been thinking about the way that some of us evangelicals report so easily on "conversions." "So many accepted Christ," we say. "There were hundreds of conversions." Or, "We went on a short-term missions trip and planted dozens of churches." (I actually received a letter to that effect.)

But what do we mean? Is there evidence of life following that these people have been reached and moved? Have they been internally sorrowed for the sin that nailed Jesus securely in place till he accomplished our saving? Has the Spirit done his convicting and convincing work?

On the heels of these thoughts, I asked myself, And what about me? Do I report too glibly and extravagantly about our travels and evangelistic work abroad? Do we exaggerate the people's response to the ministry? I hope not.

There is a danger for those of us who hold a teaching post in mission or church of making too little of the nature of conversion as we instruct our classes and preach our sermons and share Christ. As I think of the opportunities afforded to us this last year that have taken us all over the world, I pray for the days ahead we would not compromise the message to make it more palatable. We all need to explain to those whom we influence (and we all have that circle) that conversion to Christ means knowing the victory of faith that overcomes ?the world that is within us and the world without."

Have we been guilty of teasing people into the Kingdom of God by telling them it's all about a "lot of fun" when it's all about a lot of "faith"? Do we soothe their apprehensions of paying a price - any price - by talking about an easy believism and a costless Christianity? Are we more intent on leaving a good impression than serving them truly by risking rejection or ridicule for the tough things that need to be spoken? These things are the essence of the world! Even in the church people struggle for power and control, prosperity and popularity.

Christ let all his glory honor and status go to do the will of his Father in Heaven that we could be forgiven. We need to be overwhelmed anew with the cross of Christ and the price he paid as he was "exceedingly reached" by our dilemma. Once that work is done in all of our hearts, a powerful ministry can begin.

Why not take a walk in the woods or get alone in a quiet place, to revisit your conversion experience and remember your spiritual roots? Take time to be grateful for your Penns, the Bunyons, the Miltons, Lewises, Stotts, Taylors, and their modern counterparts. Why not write a letter to those who held your feet to the fire years ago and thank them?

And for those of us who have the incredible privilege of preparing Bible studies and writing articles: leading a Sunday school class or youth group: organizing women's work or being a Christian mom or mentor, elder, pastor, missionary or friend, may we revisit our understanding of an un-compromising message: to take up our cross and follow him.

Out of such yearning can come a fresh vision and renewed commitment to Jesus and his cause that will result in those around catching fire. Then the rebellious kid, the unresponsive spouse, the bitter parent, the hurt sister or brother, the offended church member, the ones who you live your lives among and minister to will see in you, as Penn saw in Loe, something they want enough to allow that mighty reach of the Spirit inside their own hearts. In other words, once we are exceedingly reached ourselves, we will see God reach others at a life changing depth too.

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on December 28, 2007 1:20 PM

Comments

Jill, you called us to the heart of the gospel, the cross of Christ. Several things come to mind. The music I was just listening to in the background was "I Surrender All," which certainly affirms your message. Secondly, I thought of something Luther wrote of. There are two kinds of theology: that of the cross or a theology of glory. Which will we choose?

Blessings and thank you again for this always timely word.

Posted By: Ivy Gauvin | December 28, 2007 3:37 PM

Thank you Jill, The call of Christ on my life has been thunderous for the past few days. His call to me has been to reach others and encourage and comfort women whom God is not finished using. He says, “Get in the battle, use the tools I have used to equipped and shape you these past years”. Not a pretty preparation, no longer shiny tools, but ones he promises to use no matter how badly I've dulled them from there original condition. I searched for encouragement and found this article!!!!! It affirms that the true way is most often, the most difficult way. God forbid if I would succumb to tickling ears. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no." Deuteronomy 8:2
A Changed life is a witness not only to others, but is a testimony to ourselves that it is God that will accomplish that change in us, through the Holy Spirit. If you are reading this please, if you are so lead, pray for the ministry God is calling me to, and that He will make the paths clear!!!

Posted By: Rosanna Pryor | December 30, 2007 7:00 PM

Jill,
This is so true.
Thanks!

Posted By: J AMcdoe | January 1, 2008 9:20 AM

And do we really believe that people want a life that doesn't cost them anything? They pay a price for a career and for success. Even if their flesh begs for an easy God, eternity is signed and written on their hearts by the one who made them. Deep down, every human has to (if only privately) eventually yearn for the Spirit's stamp of authenticity. You go, girlfriend!

Posted By: Patty J Hickman | January 2, 2008 7:43 AM

Jill - maybe it is powerful imagery that directs the living out of our salvation. Many people use the phrase "Jesus lives in my heart" to explain their Christian conversion. I was thinking about that today while reading Ephesians as Paul makes it clear over and over that he regards himself and fellow believers as being "in Christ". Sometimes I wonder if some who see their acceptance of Jesus' incredible gift of forgiveness and salvation as a security of sorts - a priceless treasure no doubt - that has been fortunately found and lovingly tucked into a small void pocket area of their incomplete hearts - hmmm just now being reminded of the little song "Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket...save it for a rainy day" - a salvation imagery like this - Almost like I've decided to give permission for Jesus to live in a special corner in big ME..."I've made a decision to INVITE Jesus to live IN ME" - Me still being the majority and the main event. Jesus is the missing piece - an image of a piece of Jesus fitting into a big me.

I know that in an important way these things are true - but there is more to it isn't there?

I really have been thinking a great deal today about Paul's use of believers being "in Christ" - I won't share all my thoughts - but to say that my thinking brought me to my knees. My residence is in Him. My life is in Him. My character is to be formed from the enviornment of living in Him.

Do I have a little bit of Jesus living in me - or have I been given the privilege to live completely in Christ? I am clothed and covered in Christ...his sacrifice...his blood...his forgiveness...his ressurection...

Is my life all about Me with a pocket full of Jesus? Or is my life all about Him? No doubt that my view will affect how I live.

Which is easier for one to do - agree to allowing Jesus to put up a tent in a vacant place in me - or one leaving all behind to live completely and forever in Him?


Here is where I wish I was gifted in communicating in written form what my heart and mind have been chatting about today. It is difficult as my writing can never match my heart dialogue.

Good things to ponder I suppose!

Posted By: Sandy | January 14, 2008 7:40 PM

I have been studying about christianity for about one year and half, and at the time being I am really intended to officially walk through it, cause I think that now I have plenty of reasons to prove the christianity in the most rightful religion in the world, and on the contrary there thousands of reasons to prove the illegitimacy of some religion too, but I need to know the person that I am talking to please send me and email then we would contact with each other, GOD bless you.
a newcomer

Posted By: John (mohamad) | June 12, 2011 6:33 AM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

Tags

see more

resources