There is a huge difference between conviction and conversion. Some children, and even adults, realize that we sin and come short of the holiness God requires of us. We feel sorry for those sins, and we pray for forgiveness. However, this gives us a false hope of going to Heaven.
The parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23) shows us that 3/4 of those who repent of their sin have various reactions, but their profession of faith is merely superficial. Only 1/4 of the seed actually took root in fertile soil and sprouted into a healthy plant.
This exemplifies truly converted individuals. They start to bear fruit little-by-little, and over time, their roots sink deeper into the rich soil (Matthew 13:23). Converted people have a true life-change, and grow in spiritual maturity and holiness, because the Spirit of Christ abides within us in an intimate union.
We are hungry to hear God's Word and to read it on our own, to communicate with God throughout the day in prayer, and to tell other people about the replacement of many negative emotions in our soul with the joy and peace of the Lord that true conversion brings. His Spirit fills us with the characteristics of His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
If we are the same person we have always been, chances are that we were convicted, but never converted. The cares and riches of the flesh and the world draw us away from God. We reap what we sow, and we bring destruction and condemnation on our self (John 3:18). We can sin with immunity because God only disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 3:12). There is a simple solution to this conundrum.
Once we realize that we are not growing in spiritual maturity, and that we still prefer a lifestyle of iniquity rather than pursuing holiness (1 John 3:9), then we can truly repent and turn away from carnality toward God and holiness, walk in His Spirit each moment of the day, and seek His will for our life, rather than pursuing our own fleshly goals and plans.
Prayer:
Father God, show us that there is a big difference between Conviction and Conversion in a person's life. Remind us that satanic strongholds in our life may keep us struggling with our walk with You, but we may also be hindered because we do not have a personal relationship with You. Believing is not enough, even Satan and his demons believe in You and tremble (James 2:19).
Teach us that if we say that we are saved, but our life is not transformed, we were convicted but not converted. Conversion starts our conformity into the image of Christ. Your Holy Spirit renews our minds and changes our behavior daily. Remind us that if after a few months, we are the same person we were before praying for Christ to be our Savior, we are not converted; we are not born again; and we are not saved.
Thoughts for the Day:
There are many examples of good people in the Bible who thought they were saved, but they never had a relationship with God. One way to tell if you are saved is because authentic, Born Again people cannot live in habitual sin. If we completely surrender to Him, God will save us in spirit, body and soul; however, every part of our soul that we hold back from God is controlling our life because we have not given our self completely to Him.
- Matthew 7:21, 25:11; Luke 6:46, 13:25; 1 John 2:3-6, James 1:12-16, 1 John 3:7-10