Dont laugh, I'm not being self-righteous! This for sure applies to each of us, as according to the verse, 'examine youself'!
Actually this is the title of an article in Free Grace Broadcaster, issued free quarterly and is so very sound that likely you already receive it! If not, please correct that ASAP by sending your name/address with a request for same to www.mountzion.org
This article is by a most favorite author, J.C. Ryle and was initally in his book, Old Paths.
There is so very much knowledge exchanged but in this same booklet Lloyd-Jones addresses the difference of 'temporary', 'counterfeit', and 'true' conversion. Therefore we'd best be quite certain of what we posess!
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted"--Acts 3:19
(just a few highlights here)
The manner of the Spirit's working is invisible, like the wind. But effects there always will be: some fruit will always be seen where there is true conversion. Where no effect can be seen, there you may be sure there is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion!
What may we expect to see in a true conversion?
You will see him penitent, humble, believing, temperate,
charitable, truthful, good-tempered, patient, upright, honorable, kind. These at any rate are his aims: These are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection.
A conversion which allows a man to live in sin, to lie, and drink, and swear is not the conversion of the Bible. It is a counterfeit conversion, which can only please the devil and will lead the man who is satisfied with it, not to heaven, but to hell!
Conversion is not only a Scriptural thing, a real thing, a necessary thing, a possible thing, and a happy thing: there remains one more characteristic about it--IT IS A THING THAT WILL ALWAYS BE SEEN.
Now, a few plain appeals to the consciences of all who read it....
Whatever others may be, Are you converted yourself?
Are you converted? It is no answer to tell me that you go to church or chapel and have been baptized and admitted to the Table of the Lord. All this proves little: I could say as much for Judas Iscariot, Demas, Simon Magus, Ananias, and Sapphira. The question is still not answered. Is your heart changed? Are you really converted to God?
I urge every reader to make haste, awake to know your danger. Escape for your life: flee from the wrath to come. Time is short: eternity is near. Life is uncertain: judgment is sure. Arise and call upon God. The throne of grace is yet standing...The promises of the Gospel are wide, broad, full, and free: lay hold upon them this day. Repent, and believe the Gospel: repent and be converted.
I offer a word of exhortation to every reader who has reason to think that he has gone through that blessed change of which I have been speaking. You can remember the time when you were not what you are now, when old things passed away and all things became new. I have something to say. Suffer the word of friendly counsel, and lay it to heart.
Give all diligence to make your calling and conversion sure. Leave nothing uncertain that concerns your immortal sould. Assurance is to be had in this world. It is good to have hope.
Labor and desire to grow in grace every year that you live. Look not to the things behind; be not content with old experience, old grace, old attainments in religion. Desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby. Entreat the Lord to carry on the work of conversion more and more in your soul and to deepen spiritual impressions within you. Read your Bible more carefully every year: watch over your prayers more jealously every year. Beware of becoming sleepy and lazy in your religion. Strive to get on in knowledge, faith, hope, charity and patience. Let your motto be, "Onward, Forward, Upward!" to the last hour of your life.
Show the value you place on conversion by your diligence in trying to do good to others. Be constantly zealous in efforts to promote the conversion of others! Never, never, if your are a converted man, never be content to go to heaven alone!
(Many meaningful articles in this issue on conversion by, Spurgeon, Gill, Lloyd-Jones, Plumer, Pink, Ryle)
Soli deo gloria!
Actually this is the title of an article in Free Grace Broadcaster, issued free quarterly and is so very sound that likely you already receive it! If not, please correct that ASAP by sending your name/address with a request for same to www.mountzion.org
This article is by a most favorite author, J.C. Ryle and was initally in his book, Old Paths.
There is so very much knowledge exchanged but in this same booklet Lloyd-Jones addresses the difference of 'temporary', 'counterfeit', and 'true' conversion. Therefore we'd best be quite certain of what we posess!
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted"--Acts 3:19
(just a few highlights here)
The manner of the Spirit's working is invisible, like the wind. But effects there always will be: some fruit will always be seen where there is true conversion. Where no effect can be seen, there you may be sure there is no grace. Where no visible fruit can be found, there you may be sure is no conversion!
What may we expect to see in a true conversion?
You will see him penitent, humble, believing, temperate,
charitable, truthful, good-tempered, patient, upright, honorable, kind. These at any rate are his aims: These are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection.
A conversion which allows a man to live in sin, to lie, and drink, and swear is not the conversion of the Bible. It is a counterfeit conversion, which can only please the devil and will lead the man who is satisfied with it, not to heaven, but to hell!
Conversion is not only a Scriptural thing, a real thing, a necessary thing, a possible thing, and a happy thing: there remains one more characteristic about it--IT IS A THING THAT WILL ALWAYS BE SEEN.
Now, a few plain appeals to the consciences of all who read it....
Whatever others may be, Are you converted yourself?
Are you converted? It is no answer to tell me that you go to church or chapel and have been baptized and admitted to the Table of the Lord. All this proves little: I could say as much for Judas Iscariot, Demas, Simon Magus, Ananias, and Sapphira. The question is still not answered. Is your heart changed? Are you really converted to God?
I urge every reader to make haste, awake to know your danger. Escape for your life: flee from the wrath to come. Time is short: eternity is near. Life is uncertain: judgment is sure. Arise and call upon God. The throne of grace is yet standing...The promises of the Gospel are wide, broad, full, and free: lay hold upon them this day. Repent, and believe the Gospel: repent and be converted.
I offer a word of exhortation to every reader who has reason to think that he has gone through that blessed change of which I have been speaking. You can remember the time when you were not what you are now, when old things passed away and all things became new. I have something to say. Suffer the word of friendly counsel, and lay it to heart.
Give all diligence to make your calling and conversion sure. Leave nothing uncertain that concerns your immortal sould. Assurance is to be had in this world. It is good to have hope.
Labor and desire to grow in grace every year that you live. Look not to the things behind; be not content with old experience, old grace, old attainments in religion. Desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby. Entreat the Lord to carry on the work of conversion more and more in your soul and to deepen spiritual impressions within you. Read your Bible more carefully every year: watch over your prayers more jealously every year. Beware of becoming sleepy and lazy in your religion. Strive to get on in knowledge, faith, hope, charity and patience. Let your motto be, "Onward, Forward, Upward!" to the last hour of your life.
Show the value you place on conversion by your diligence in trying to do good to others. Be constantly zealous in efforts to promote the conversion of others! Never, never, if your are a converted man, never be content to go to heaven alone!
(Many meaningful articles in this issue on conversion by, Spurgeon, Gill, Lloyd-Jones, Plumer, Pink, Ryle)
Soli deo gloria!
