What Does Conversion Look Like (Part 2)

 What Does Conversion Look Like? (Part 2)

It is my prayer that I do not disappoint you with this post. It may be that conversion is thought of as something that is somewhat nebulous, undefinable, or indescribable. There have been those who have poo-pooed the doctrine of conversion, while others have attempted to wring out a definition suited to personal biases. Quite frankly, conversion is not that difficult to understand.

Matthew 18:3 says, “… “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matt 18:3, NKJV]. The English Standard Version reads, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” [Matt 18:3, ESV] The word “converted” is the Greek word στρέφω. This word is used some 19 times in the New Testament. It carries the meaning of, “to turn, to turn around, to turn one’s self. It is metaphorically used to represent turning one’s self from one’s current course of conduct.

Conversion is very closely related to the term “repent” or repentance. Remember Jesus began his ministry with these words, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt 3:2, NKJV]. The word Jesus used was the Greek word μετανοέω. This word is used 34 times and was translated as “repent.”

Moulton & Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament states that in the New Testament, μετανοέω is more than just a change of mind, “it indicates a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, towards God. The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines μετανοέω as a compound word containing the meaning of “to change one’s place or condition and to exercise the mind, to think, or to comprehend. To repent, to change the mind, to relent.” In a religious sense, μετανοέω implies sorrow for unbelief and sin and a turning from them unto God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, p. 968).

The interesting thing about the meaning of repent is that the moral and spiritual content in both the words μετανοέω and στρέφωcome from Jewish and Christian influence. The Greeks actually had no knowledge or reference to the biblical concept of repentance or conversion. Μετανοέω represents repentance as a change of mind and a turning from sin and στρέφω represents repentance as a turning to God.

What Jesus was calling for in Matthew 3:2 and 4:17 was a call to an inward and radical change of character which results in a change of behavior. This is why conversion is an act of God and not an action produced or generated by the flesh. A dead man cannot repent.

Regeneration is the work of God through the Holy Spirit in the soul of a sinner by the preaching of the gospel. Regeneration is the sovereignly imparted spiritual life to the previously dead sinner where-by God imparts a new nature to the sinner bringing him from death to life. God makes a dead sinner live by an act of grace.

Repentance is the result of regeneration. The first response of a dead sinner having been made alive is repentance. The newly regenerated sinner repents, turns from sin to the living God and believes in Christ as the only means of salvation.

As God grants new life into a dead sinner’s heart by regeneration, God opens the heart, the spiritual eyes, enabling a sinner to see his/her sin and the necessity of Christ’s atoning work. The newly awakened, or reborn sinner sees for the first time his/her sin, is repulsed and anguished by that awareness, cries out to God for salvation or deliverance. This newly reborn-regenerated sinner turns from their sin and turns to God through Christ. The gift of repentance and faith given by God through his regenerative work in the sinner’s soul makes up what we call conversion. Conversion is the product of changed hearts and changed motivations.

Lord willing, we will look at those changed affections and motivations in part 3.