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What Is True Christian Conversion – 7 Considerations By Joseph Alleine

What Is True Christian Conversion? Joseph Alleine considers the 7 aspects:

#1 The Author of conversion is the Spirit of God,

It is therefore called ‘the sanctification of the Spirit’ (2 Thess 2:13) and ‘the renewing of the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5). This does not exclude the other persons in the Trinity, for the apostle teaches us to bless the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ‘has begotten us again unto a living hope’ (1 Pet 1:3). And Christ is said to ‘give repentance unto Israel’ (Acts 5:31); and is called the ‘everlasting Father’ (Isa 9:6) and we His seed, and ‘the children whom God has given Him’ (Heb 2:13). Yet this work is principally ascribed to the Holy Spirit, and so we are said to be ‘born of the Spirit’ (John 3:5-6).

So then, conversion is a work above man’s power. We are ‘born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man—but of God’ (John 1:13). Never think you can convert yourself. If ever you would be savingly converted, you must despair of doing it in your own strength. It is a resurrection from the dead (Eph 2:1), a new creation (Gal 6:15; Eph 2:10), a work of absolute omnipotence (Eph 1:19). Are not these out of the reach of human power? If you have no more than you had by your first birth—a good nature, a meek and chaste temper etc.—you are a stranger to true conversion. Conversion is a supernatural work.

#2 The efficient Cause of conversion is both internal and external.

The INTERNAL cause is free grace alone.

‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done—but of his mercy he saved us’, and ‘by the renewing of the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5). ‘Of his own will he begat us’ (James 1:18). We are chosen and called unto sanctification, not for it (Eph 1:4).

God finds nothing in man to turn His heart—but enough to turn His stomach; He finds enough to provoke His loathing—but nothing to excite His love. Look back upon yourself, O Christian! Reflect upon your swinish nature, your filthy swill, your once beloved mire (2 Pet 2). Behold your slime and corruption. Do not your own clothes abhor you? (Job 9:31). How then should holiness and purity love you? Be astonished, O heavens, at this; be moved, O earth. Who but must needs cry, Grace! Grace! (Zech 4:7). Hear and blush, you children of the Most High God. O unthankful men, that free grace is no more in your mouths, in your thoughts; no more adored, admired and commended by such as you! One would think you should be doing nothing but praising and admiring God wherever you are. How can you forget such grace, or pass it over with a slight and formal mention? What but free grace could move God to love you, unless enmity could do it, unless deformity could do it? How affectionately Peter lifts up his hands, ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, who in his abundant mercy has begotten us again.’ [1 Pet 1:3] How feelingly does Paul magnify the free mercy of God in it, ‘God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, has quickened us together with Christ. By grace are you saved’ (Eph 2:4-5)!

The EXTERNAL cause is the merit and intercession of the blessed Jesus.

He has obtained gifts for the rebellious (Psalm 68:18), and through Him it is that God works in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight (Heb 13:21). Through Him are all spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in heavenly places (Eph 1:3). He intercedes for the elect that believes not (John 17:20). Every convert is the fruit of His travail. Never was an infant born into the world with that difficulty which Christ endured for us. All the pains that He suffered on the cross were our birth-pains. He is made sanctification to us (1 Cor 1:30). He sanctified Himself, that is, set apart Himself as a sacrifice, that we might be sanctified (John 17:19). We are sanctified through the offering of His body once for all (Heb 10:10).

It is nothing, then, but the merit and intercession of Christ, that prevails with God to bestow on us converting grace. If you are a new creature, you know to whom you owe it; to Christ’s pangs and prayers. The foal does not more naturally run after the dam, nor suckling to the bosom, than a believer to Jesus Christ. And where else should you go? If any in the world can show for your heart what Christ can, let them do it. Does Satan claim you? Does the world court you? Does sin sue for your heart? Why, were these crucified for you? O Christian, love and serve your Lord while you have a being.

#3 The Instrument of conversion is personal and real.

The PERSONAL instrument is the ministry.

‘In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel’ (1 Cor 4:15). Christ’s ministers are those who are sent to open men’s eyes, and to turn them to God (Acts 26:18). O unthankful world! Little do you know what you are doing when you are persecuting the messengers of the Lord. These are they whose business it is, under Christ, to save you. Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? (Isa 37:23). These are the servants of the most high God that show unto you the way of salvation (Acts 16:17), and do you requite them thus, O foolish and unwise? (Deut 32:6). O sons of ingratitude, against whom do you sport yourselves? These are the instruments that God uses to convert and save sinners: and do you revile your physicians, and throw your pilots overboard? ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ [Luke 23:34]

The REAL instrument is the Word.

We are begotten by the word of truth. It is this that enlightens the eye, that converts the soul (Psalm 19:7-8), that makes us wise to salvation (2 Tim 3:15). This is the incorruptible seed by which we are born again (1 Pet 1:23). If we are washed, it is by the Word (Eph 5:26). If we are sanctified, it is through the truth (John 17:17). This generates faith, and regenerates us (Rom 10:17; James 1:18).

O you saints, how you should love the Word, for by this you have been converted! You that have felt its renewing power, make much of it while you live; be ever thankful for it. Tie it about your neck, write it upon your hand, lay it in your bosom. When you go let it lead you, when you sleep let it keep you, when you wake let it talk with you (Prov 6:21-22). Say with the Psalmist, ‘I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have quickened me’ (Psalm 119:93). You who are unconverted, read the Word with diligence; flock to where it is powerfully preached. Pray for the coming of the Spirit in the Word. Come from your knees to the sermon, and come from the sermon to your knees. The sermon does not prosper—because it is not watered by prayers and tears, nor covered by meditation.

#4 The final End of conversion is man’s salvation, and God’s glory.

We are chosen through sanctification to salvation (2 Thess 2:13), called that we might be glorified (Rom 8:30), but especially that God might be glorified (Isa 60:21), that we should show forth His praises (1 Pet 2:9), and be fruitful in good works (Col 1:10).

O Christian, do not forget the end of your calling. Let your light shine, let your lamp burn, let your fruits be good and many and in season (Psalm 1:3). Let all your designs fall in with God’s, that He may be magnified in you (Phil 1:20).

#5 The Subject Of Conversion Is The Elect Sinner—And That In All His Parts And Powers, Members And Mind.

Those whom he predestined he also called. (Rom 8:30). None are drawn to Christ by their calling, nor come to Him by believing—but His sheep, those whom the Father has given Him (John 6:37,44). Effectual calling runs parallel with eternal election (2 Pet 1:10).

You begin at the wrong end if you first dispute your election. Prove your conversion, and then never doubt your election. If you cannot yet prove it, set upon a present and thorough turning. Whatever God’s purposes are, which are secret, I am sure His promises are plain. How desperately do rebels argue! ‘If I am elected I shall be saved, do what I will. If not, I shall be damned, do what I can.’ Perverse sinner, will you begin where you should end? Is not the word before you? What says it? ‘Repent and be converted, so that your sins may be blotted out.’ ‘If you mortify the deeds of the body you shall live.’ ‘Believe and be saved’ (Acts 3:19; Rom 8:13; Acts 16:31). What can be plainer? Do not stand still disputing about your election—but set to repenting and believing. Cry to God for converting grace. Revealed things belong to you; in these busy yourself. It is just, as one well said, that those who will not feed on the plain food of the Word should be choked with the bones. Whatever God’s purposes may be, I am sure His promises are true. Whatever the decrees of heaven may be, I am sure that if I repent and believe, I shall be saved; and that if I do not repent, I shall be damned. Is not this plain ground for you; and will you yet run upon the rocks?

To read the details regarding Conversion affecting the other parts of the convert, read What Are The Signs Of True Conversion – 3 Major Aspects By Joseph Alleine

#6 The Objects from which we turn in conversion are sin, Satan, the world, and our own righteousness.

This segment is captured under What Does It Mean To Be Truly Converted – The 4 Objects By Joseph Alleine

#7 The Object to which we turn in conversion is—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—whom the true convert takes as his all-sufficient and eternal blessedness.

A man is never truly sanctified until his heart is truly set upon God above all things, as his portion and chief good. These are the natural breathings of a believer’s heart: ‘You are my portion.’ ‘My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.’ ‘My expectation is from him; he alone is my rock and salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God’ (Psalm 119:57; Psalm 34:2; Psalm 62).

Would you be certain whether you are converted or not? Now let your soul and all that is within you attend. Have you taken God for your happiness? Where does the desire of your heart lie? What is the source of your greatest satisfaction? Come, then, and with Abraham lift up your eyes eastward, and westward, and northward, and southward, and look around you; what is it that you would have to make you happy? If God should give you your choice, as He did to Solomon, or should say to you, as Ahasuerus to Esther, ‘What is your petition, and what is your request, and it shall be granted you?’ [Esther 5:6] what would you ask? Go into the gardens of pleasure, and gather all the fragrant flowers there—would these satisfy you? Go to the treasures of mammon; suppose you may carry away as much as you desire. Go to the towers, to the trophies of honor. What do you think of being a man of renown, and having a name like the name of the great men of the earth? Would any of these, would all of these satisfy you, and make you count yourself happy? If so, then certainly you are carnal and unconverted.

If not, go farther; wade into the divine excellencies, the store of His mercies, the hiding of His power, the unfathomable depths of His all-sufficiency. Does this suit you best and please you most? Do you say, ‘It is good to be here. Here will I pitch, here will I live and die’? Will you let all the world go rather than this? Then it is well between God and you: happy are you, O man—happy are you that ever you were born. If God can make you happy, you must be happy; for you have taken the Lord to be your God. Do you say to Christ as He to us, ‘Your Father shall be my Father, and your God my God’? Here is the turning point. “Whom do I have in heaven but You? And I desire nothing on earth but You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26

An unsound convert never takes up his rest in God; but converting grace does the work, and so cures the fatal misery of the fall, by turning the heart from its idols—to the living God. Now the soul says, ‘Lord, where shall I go? You have the words of eternal life.’ [John 6:68] Here he centers, here he settles. It is the entrance of heaven to him; he sees his interest in God. When he discovers this, he says, ‘Return unto your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you’ (Psalm 116:7). And he is even ready to breathe out Simeon’s song, ‘Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace’ [Luke 2:29]; and says with Jacob, when his old heart revived at the welcome tidings, ‘It is enough!’ (Gen 45:28). When he sees he has a God in covenant to go to, this is all his salvation, and all his desire (2 Sam 23:5).

Is this the case with you? Have you experienced this? If so, then ‘blessed are you of the Lord’. God has been at work with you; He has laid hold of your heart by the power of converting grace, or else you could never have done this.

The rest of this segment can be found at 2 Main Characteristics Of A Transformed Life By Joseph Alleine

This article is an edited version of “The Nature of Conversion” in Joseph Alleine’s book, “An Alarm to the Unconverted”. Welcome to read ALL related posts here or purchase the book

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