Have you been converted? Converted means taking something that was dedicated to a certain function and converting it into a new function. We have been dedicated to please ourselves. When we have a conversion experience, we are given a new function, to please God. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
How do you know you have had a conversion experience? The question comes to mind; what motivates us to act and behave in the way that we do? You see there are only two true motives, one is selfish, we exist to please ourselves. The other is selfless, we exist to please and honor God.
Do we exist to please and honor God? If not, then maybe our conversion isn’t complete, maybe we are missing something. Don’t confuse that with the battle that takes place in our minds over what is the right thing to do. The cartoons reveal it as the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. That is a result of a conversion experience. Our old nature, selfish versus our new nature, selfless. But that is a discussion for another day.
A conversion has three components; this is how I was; this is where I met Christ and this is where I am now. There ought to be a difference.
Sometimes we forget what it means that everything we do should be motivated to please GOD! Think about that, can we honestly say that every action, every word, and every thought, is motivated to please and honor GOD?
Of course we can’t, we are not perfect yet! But that is no excuse not to make the effort to please God. We need to be working toward that goal every moment of every day. Christ’s death and resurrection gives us that opportunity. Thanks be to God!
Let’s take a look at the conversion of Saul (Paul). Scripture tells us;
Acts 9:1-2; Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
This was Saul’s motivation; this was his function; put to death this new thing called Christianity!
Do you ever think that sometimes the things we say and do accomplish the same thing? I am reminded of a scripture;
1 Thessalonians 5:19; Do not quench the Spirit.
When our thoughts, actions and words grieve the Holy Spirit the same thing is true of us.
But something happened on the road to Damascus
CONVERSION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Acts 9:3-9; As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Saul came face to face with the living God! He was changed. He no longer led himself. God led him
What a great illustration. Are we ready to close our eyes and let the Holy Spirit lead us? That is what it means to follow God; close your eyes, stand up and let go.
How lost are we? How much do we need someone to lead us? Let God lead you!
God calls us to be his hands and feet in this world. That means we need to follow Him even when His instructions do not make sense. God has a plan. We need to follow.
Are we ready to be blinded? Are we ready to follow? Are we ready to be converted from our ways to the ways of God?
Blessings,
Pastor Don