Monday, June 17, 2019
WHAT CAUSED THE CHANGE?
Acts 26:18
18 To open
their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Paul testified before Agrippa that Christ had commissioned him to
a lifelong effort to convert men. Certain specific changes would define
conversion. First, there would be a change of view. Their eyes would be
opened so that they might clearly see things as they really are. Next, they
would be changed from darkness (“shadiness”) to light. The power
(“mastery”) of Satan would be broken and men would then be at liberty to
serve God. Sins would be forgiven and a new life of not sinning
would begin.
Former atheist, Lee Stroble, tells that his young daughter told her
mother: “Mom, I want what God has done to daddy!” This is the observable
change that takes place when men are converted. Specifically,
conversion is a change in the thoughts, desires, dispositions and behavior of a
sinner. He changes his mind about right and wrong. His appetite changes
and he begins to crave good and right things instead of wicked and damaging
habits. The Bible refers to him as a “new man” (Eph. 2:15; 4:24).
In my desire to discover a reason or a pattern for
conversion, I often miss miracles. As I ask what caused the change, I
miss the blessing of the change itself. True conversion is due to the working
of the Holy Spirit upon the heart and mind of an individual. It is personal and
therefore defies being pressed into a formula. The specific circumstances
needed to bring one to conversion will not necessarily be needed for another.
When it happens it is mysterious and marvelous!
Mark 5:15
15 And they
come to Jesus, and see (saw) him that was possessed with the devil, and had the
legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Dear Lord,
let your Holy Spirit apply the pressures and circumstances necessary to bring
conversion. AMEN
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