What Changes at Conversion?

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What Changes at Conversion?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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Sunday, January 5, 2020 pm

The idea of conversion is change. Just like a transformer that changes electricity from one form to another, making it usable or one converts a room from one use to another (e.g. a bedroom to an office).   Usually when we think of conversion, it is something big and clearly noticeable.

Often when speaking of one being saved, we mention conversion.   Acts 3:19, the NKJV says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” The point is that when you become a Christian there needs to be change and it needs to be noticeable. So, what changes when one is converted?   Let us consider a few things in this lesson.

I.    A change of heart

  1. The Biblical heart is not our fleshly blood pump, though in our Bibles the word for heart (καρδία, kardia) is the word from which we get cardiac.  It is who we are within and deep down. It is found more than 150 times in the NT, and the majority of the time has reference to this spiritual description.
  2. The spiritual heart is related to how we think – Matthew 9:4 – as Jesus is forgiving the sins of a paralytic, the scribes are thinking He blasphemes. Jesus asks, “Why do you think evil in your hearts”?
    • Mark 2:6, a parallel passage, says they were “reasoning in their hearts”.
    • Proverbs 4:23 tells us that out of the heart springs the issues of life.
  3. The spiritual heart is related to what we believe – Romans 10:9-10.   This means we are convicted that something is true.  Its not superficial or accompanied by doubt.
  4. The spiritual heart controls what we do and say – Mathew 12:34-35 – out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…
  5. The spiritual heart needs to be pure – Matthew 5:8.  1 Peter 1:22, we love one another fervently with a pure heart.  Psalm 24:4 tells us that it is he who has “clean hands and a pure heart” that will stand in the holy place with God.
  6. It is with a pure heart that we will call on the Lord – 2 Timothy 2:22, we pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.   Hebrews 10:22 speaks of the true heart with which we draw near to God.
  7. When one is converted, his heart needs to change.
    He no longer sets his affections on the world and its ways – 1 John 2:15-17.
    Matthew 6:21, Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there you heart will be.” This shows that it governs everything about us.
  8. If one is still trying to hold on to the world and its ways after becoming a Christian, is his heart truly converted?

II.   A change of mind

  1. Related to the heart, the mind is how we think and reason.   We noted above the hearts of the scribes caused them to reason or think that Jesus was blaspheming (Matthew 9:4, Mark 2:6), because they were unwilling to consider whether what He taught was true or not.
  2. But this has to do with our thought process. We have addressed much about worldviews and presuppositions in our evidences class. It becomes the starting point of how we process information.
  3. The worldly, set their minds on the things of the flesh (Romans 8:5-8) or earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19). Note that Paul observes that such CANNOT please God.
    1 Corinthians 2:14 speaks of how the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God,… and he CANNOT know them because they are spiritually discerned.
  4. When we are converted our minds change.
    I do not believe the previous point (the worldly mindset) is speaking of something impossible to change, but it is saying that as LONG AS one’s mind remains in that condition, he will not change.   NOTHING will change him, until he decides to change.
    A part of our conversion is changing the very way we think.   At it core, we need to start being Christ centered.
    Colossians 3:2 – set your mind on things above.
    2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – even bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
    Romans 12:2 – renewing of your mind.

III.  A change of life

  1. When our heart and mind are converted, that leads to a converted life.   We are now living differently.   NOTE: The heart and mind must change FIRST.
  2. A crucial part of true conversion is repentance 2 Corinthians 7:9-10.   Acts 3:19 – repent and be converted.   Acts 2:38 – a set leading toward salvation.   Repentance is actually a change of mind that leads to a change in action.
    A good example of this is the prodigal son.   Luke 15:18-20, when he “came to himself” he realized his condition and what he needed to change.   He took action and followed through.
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:11, “such were some of you.”
    2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away…”
    Ephesians 4:17, “that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk.” “No longer” indicates former conduct.
  4. 1 Peter 4:3-4, They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
  5. This is a continued theme of the New Testament and the life of a Christian.
    We are now different, and that difference is very real.   Much like one who has determined to overcome an addiction – the change is VERY apparent in their lives.
    It’s not enough to resolve in your mind and heart to change and then not act on it.

IV.    A change of relationship

  1. What is the motivation behind our change in heart, mind and life?   It is a new found relationship that we have.
  2. Many words describe our changed relationship:
    • Romans 5:10 – we are reconciled to God through the death of Jesus.   Reconciliation implies a former state of enmity that has been resolved. We are in a restored relationship.
    • 1 Peter 1:18-19 – We are redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus. Redemption indicates a price has been paid to purchase our freedom (from the bondage of sin – cf. Romans 6). Titus 2:14, we have been redeemed from every lawless deed.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:11 – We have been sanctified, which means to be set apart.   We now belong to God. 1 Peter 2:9-10 describes us as a chosen generation, a holy nation, His own special people, etc.
  3. Galatians 3:27 tells us that we have put on Christ. He is now ruler of our life – Galatians 2:20
  4. When we obey the gospel, we have invited Him in, and He has come into our life.   The result –
    • Colossians 1:13, we have been conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love.   We are now citizens of the kingdom of heaven – Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19
    • Ephesians 2:19, we are also members of the household of God – meaning we have a new family.   God is our heavenly Father, and we have numerous new “brothers and sisters” in Christ.
    • John 14:23, those who keep His word, the Father makes His home in us.

These are some of the changes that take place when we are converted.   As we have seen in this, conversion begins with us – a willingness to change both within and without.   But if we will do this, the change in relationship gives us a hope that extends beyond this life.     What about you? Have you been converted? Think about it!

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