BE CONVERTED | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 28, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 50.

"BE CONVERTED."

"REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." The words to be emphasized in this passage are, "Be converted." Repentance is one of the prerequisites. The blotting out of sin is one of the results, or accompanying blessings, of conversion. The main thing is to be converted. This involves a turning away from sin, a cleaving to Christ by faith, and an experience of the regenerating power of the Spirit. This should be a thorough work. There should be so much of conscientiousness and earnestness in it as to revolutionize the whole life. All that is sinful should cease at conversion. St. John says that those who are born of God cannot sin. He does not mean to say that it is impossible for them to fall from grace, but that unless they do fall from grace they cannot sin. The Christian character and sinfulness are incompatible. The Christian must not transgress God's law. He must not do wrong. He must be holy as regards the law, whether he professes the blessing of entire sanctification or not. One Christian is under just as great obligation as another to keep the commandments of God and abstain from every appearance of evil. In conversion God forgives all sin. The work of cleansing is complete. All the sins of the past and all the guilt of the present are taken away, made to be as if they had never been. We are not now speaking of the "roots of sin," "the remains of the carnal mind," which Mr. Wesley says may remain in the believer, and can be eradicated only by a further work of grace; we are speaking of actual sin. This is taken away, and the soul is at peace with God. Conversion does more for believers than some people acknowledge. Theologians tell us that the great blessings of regeneration, justification, and adoption are all bestowed in the moment of conversion. One of these blessings is never given without the others. They are concomitant; that is, they are collaterally connected with each other in the experience of pardon. By justification we are delivered from past transgressions; by regeneration we experience the inward change of a new heart; and by adoption we are made members of God's great spiritual household. What a work is this! How worthy of being sought and enjoyed! How quickly it should engage the attention of every sinner! Repent and be converted! Get away from your sin, which disturbs and destroys, and will drag you down to endless death. Gain the new heart, and become a new creature in Christ Jesus. Let this engage your first attention. Yield to God. Ask him to forgive you and make you his child. To your dying day, yea, to all eternity, you will thank him for the rich experience he will give you.—Selected.