This series of ten messages is collectively titled, “From Strength to Strength” based upon Psalms 84:7: “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” This fifth message deals with the genuine conversion leading to salvation and an impactful walk for God.
Psalm 119:59-60: “When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”
In this brief testimony the psalmist defines the meaning of scriptural and spiritual conversion specifically to Christ Himself. Of course, we can be converted to anything – to communism, fascism, Protestantism, Catholicism, or any other ‘ism’, so it is obviously not enough to speak about conversion. What does the Bible mean by conversion? The answer is given in these two verses: scriptural conversion is not to a man, to a religion, to a church or a creed, but it is conversion to a Person – or, perhaps we should say, to the three Persons in the Godhead. It is our whole life being turned into a right relationship with God whom we come to know as our loving Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ whom we trust as our personal Savior, all brought about by the work of and by submission to the Holy Spirit.
The words to underline here are, “I have considered my ways”. If only people would stop and think – about God, about life, about sin, about time and about everlasting life! As a matter of fact, God asks us to do this very thing, and to face up to our need of His grace and of His salvation (Isaiah 1:18). Until we do this we shall never be converted, because conversion does not just happen. It is only when He brings us to think upon our sin and we are faced with a deep sense of our own need that we realize how much God loves us, how much Christ has done to procure our salvation and how much the Holy Spirit is striving to convert us. Conversion begins with serious consideration, and one of the best illustrations is that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-19). The Prodigal “came to his senses” and notice that he only did this when he came to the end of himself resulting in dire straits. How often this is the case! It was then that he realized how foolish he had been and how much he needed his father’s love and provision. Christian conversion begins with serious consideration. But notice this second point:
The words to underline now are, “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” When a man thinks hard and seriously about God and salvation, his own soul and his soul’s need, he soon makes a decision that leads to action. Again in Luke 15:20 that the Prodigal Son came to the point where “he got up and went to his father.” He turned his back on the old life and set out towards a new life. Think of the provision which the father made for him! Think of the love, peace and joy that filled his heart! Let the wonder of this scene fill your heart with gratitude as you think about the confession, the robe, the ring, the shoes, the food, the fellowship and the joy.
The words to underline now are, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Definite action does not stop short at this point – it must lead to a life of obedience. Conversion is just the beginning of a life of joyful obedience to the Lord, of finding out His perfect will, and doing it (Romans 12:2). Consider these evidences of conversion and indications of loving obedience to the Lord and to His Word:
These were initial evidences, things that happened immediately after these people or groups of people were converted. Scriptural conversion can be described in three words: (1) Stop. (2) Turn. (3) Obey.