Gospel

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There are many who mistake what true conversion is and so think themselves saved. Some trust in their water baptism and others in their church membership and still others in their good deeds or in their faith which comes from their free will.

Almost every person who claims to be a Christian will say they trust in Jesus Christ when questioned but many who make these professions are false converts and need to see themselves as lost before they will ever be found of God.

True conversion to Jesus Christ is not just having the name of Christ but it is having the nature of Christ first and foremost.

The objects from which we turn in conversion are

1. Sin

2. Satan

3. The World

4. Self-righteousness


WE TURN FROM SIN


When a man is converted he is an enemy of all sin but mostly his own personal sin that troubles him most.

The true convert is engaged against sin, struggles with it, and wars against it.

Although that particular sin may make him a friend to the world and his own friends yet it makes him an enemy to God.

Sin is the greatest evil there is. It is greater than cancer, greater than HIV. It is a spiritual leprosy which rots the soul and makes it unfit to be in communion with God.

Is your wealth your pride? Know this that you are no gainer of God by it but it will be a witness against you on the day of judgment for we must all stand before God and give an account of every idle word and every dishonorable deed done in the flesh.

Consider the many sins that we are so prone to...an unbridled tongue...indulging appetite...neglect of prayer and of reading and hearng the Word.

Are these a witness against you?

If this is your case then you are unregenerate and must be changed or condemned.


AND THEN HE MUST TURN FROM SATAN


Conversion binds the strongman, spoils his armor, casts out his goods, turns men from the power of Satan unto God. He no longer gambles or frequents casinos or hangs around the company of those who do unless it is for the salvation of that ill company.

When the Devil says I will give you all the kingdoms of the world if you will but bow down and worship me like he said to Jesus we must say thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shall you serve.

A converted man serves another master. He takes orders from the King of Kings. Satan may sometimes catch us in his trap but the true convert will no longer be a willing captive because he watches against the snares and baits of Satan and studies to be acquainted with his devices.

NOTE: Now there is an excellent book that I recommend called "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" by a Puritan author named Thomas Brooks. Read that book and you'll learn the many ways that Satan seeks to destroy you. Probably not more than one in a hundred pastors are familiar with that little gem.


Thirdly WE MUST TURN FROM THE WORLD

Before a man has true faith he is overcome by the world in several ways. He may bow down to mammon or idolize his reputation or he may be a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. We are told that Moses chose rather to suffer with the children of Israel than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:)

Here is the root of man's misery by the fall. Man turned aside to the creature and gives that his attention, confidence and affection that is due to God alone. The apostle Paul describes this in his letter to the Romans

"...who worship and serve the creature or creation more than the Creator who is blessed forever."

Man in his sin and misery is a Frankenstein monster full of debauchery and deceit. The world that was created to serve you is become your master to rule over you. Yes, this world like a wicked and deceitful whore has bewitched you with her enchantments, sorcery and charms and forced you to bow down and serve her.

Converting grace puts Christ in the heart and the world under the feet. The Apostle Paul says, "I am crucified to the world and the world to me." Before this change of conversion takes place the unconverted sinner complains and cries "How shall I make my fortune in this world?" "How shall I become famous or powerful?" These sinful ambitions occupy the mind more than how to please Jesus Christ.

After converting grace enters into the soul the new convert prays "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me."

Before conversion the sinner's delight was in the world. At that time this man sang the song of fools: "soul take your ease, eat, drink and be merry; you have much goods laid up for many years."

The true convert finds no attractiveness in these things. His desires have changed because repentance has had her effectual work wrought by the Holy Spirit. The Lord is the portion of the righteous and He must be our inheritance.

A righteous man who has communion with God boasts himself in God and not in his riches. Nothing but God can give him satisfaction and peace. The converted man says within that all is vexation and vanity apart from the great love of his life which is Jesus Christ his hope and his glory. Worldly fun and pleasure take second place to the Lord who bought him. He pants after Christ Jesus like the deer pants after the refreshing cold streams. He longs for more grace and knowledge that he might grow thereby and he looks for an incorruptible crown of righteousness not found in himself but in the Messiah who came to save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

The true convert has his heart set on seeking the Lord first and His righteousness as Matthew 6:33 instructs "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." The main concern of his life now is to have pure religion which is no longer an option but a vital necessity. James

When the world has control over us we do more for gain than godliness...more to please our friends or our sinful flesh than the God who created us. How we deceive ourselves by telling ourselves that God can wait until we serve the world first. Many think they have all their life to serve the world and that it is optional to give God their leftovers after a life spent on worldly cares and affairs but no this will not do. The man in whom God has wrought a miracle of true conversion gives God his first fruits and the world his leftovers.

Now ask yourself if you do not take more delight in the world than in God? Are you able to take the order from Christ and sell all that you have and give to the poor and follow Christ?
If not, then I fear you are yet unregenerate and still in your sins.

There is no surer evidence of an unconverted state than to have the things of the world uppermost in our minds and affections. A true conversion involves seeing Christ as our chief delight and service. How precious is His name to our ears and his approval. Once the unconverted man sought the approval and applause of the world but after grace enters the soul the sinner
sees Christ in His glory and beauty as no other.

When Christ is savingly revealed to a person's soul he becomes the Pearl of Great Price. Christ is his treasure. Christ is his blessed hope. He says to himself as Paul did, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."


WE TURN FROM OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS


Finally, when we are truly converted and we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit we turn from our own righteousness. Before conversion man seeks like Adam and Eve did to cover himself with his own fig leaves as a form of self-atonement. He will go to great lengths to restore and reform himself by many duties imposed upon himself. If he was a drunk he will trust in himself to stop drinking. If he was into drugs he will take drastic measures to clean up his act and change his life. If he suffered from low self-esteem or low motivation he will invest in the latest self-help programs by the most widely accepted self-help guru or motivational experts to lift himself up by his own bootstraps and so insure his carnal security by way of his self-righteous actions.

The unconverted man will set up his own standard of righteousness, like ancient Israel, instead of submitting himself to the righteousness of God which is in Jesus Christ.

After conversion the mind is changed and now he counts his own righteousness as filthy rags. He casts off these garments like the dirty, smelly clothes of a wino or homeless person. Now he comes to a poverty of spirit which promises him the presence of God as it says in Matthew 5: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see God."

The many false preachers of today cry peace, peace to the wretched sinner who thinks so highly of himself despite his sin and misery and state of condemnation. Instead of pronouncing the wrath of God upon rebellious and wicked gainsayers the preacher of today flatters his hearers with false prosperity teachings and promises of better things in this life if the disciple will just sow his seed of faith.

After conversion the believer sees a world of iniquity in all his best performances and calls his once idolized righteousness but stinking horse manure. Now he sets a premium on the righteousness of Christ. His eyes are open to see Christ as most precious to his soul and without which he must perish. He knows he must abide in Christ as the True Vine or else he can do nothing. John 15 The true convert can not live without Christ or do anything worthy of Christ's respect because all glory comes from, through and back to God. All prayer must be the result of Christ working in him both to will and do of His good pleasure.
Phil )

Until a man is truly sanctified his heart will never be focused on the trinity. God manifests Himself as a Father, Son and Holy Spirit and this must be his chief comfort and good portion. He finds his rest in the work of the Father in election, the Son in redemption and the Spirit in effectual calling or regeneration.

Today, not tomorrow but today will you make God, through Jesus Christ, the source of your boasting and your joy and comfort rather than your worldly wealth? Life is short and death is certain and your delay today may mean your eternal loss of soul as you give an account for all your sins and backslidings and ungrateful attitudes against your Creator who has done more for you than anyone but you still have not bowed your stubborn will to His command.

Repent and be converted and if you have no heart for this then cry out like a beggar starving for food for the saving faith which comes by grace and not by works of righteousness which we can do. Without Christ we can do nothing. Do you believe that? Will you receive the Lord Jesus Christ and turn from your sins while you still have breath? Oh, may it be so today.






Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area.
Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member) and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.

See all his videos on https://www.YouTube.com/user/LAStreetPreacher

CONTACT at [email protected]

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