The fifth step in the “… he who endures unto the end will be saved” (Mat. 10:22) process is conversion, without which one cannot inherit eternal life. In order to be converted, one must understand what is meant by the word. Simply put, conversion in the spiritual sense means to reverse course completely, for until God’s Holy Spirit takes up residence within the seeker, nothing from his/her former life is of God, no matter how religious it may have been (Mat. 7:22). Those who call Jesus “Lord, Lord” and do not obey Him are deceiving not only themselves, but those around them who also call Him “Lord, Lord,” who are also equally deceived (Rev. 12:9). The entire Bible concerns conversion. Obviously, we cannot examine every Scripture relative to the process. So let us see what the New Testament says about the word “conversion.”

First and foremost, conversion entails strict obedience to God’s Word. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the Truth (God’s Word-Jn. 17:17), and one convert him, let him know that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and erase a multitude of sins” (Jam. 5:19,20). Note that the church member (“brethren” “you”) must turn from sin (transgression of the Law–1 Jn. 3:4). Note also that the sinning church member is headed for eternal death if he is not converted. Note also that nothing is mentioned about grace causing God to wink at sin because one is “saved,” has inherited Adam’s sin gene, etc.

In Psalm 51:11-13 we find King David, having acknowledged his sins, is asking God to return His Spirit to him and to allow him to return to the path to salvation. David promises the Lord that if He would do so, he (David) would “teach transgressors (sinners) Your ways, and they shall be converted to you.” Even David, a man after God’s own heart, was in danger of losing any possibility of inheriting eternal life. Note that he promised God that he would teach men “Your ways” which are found only in His Word.

In Acts 3:17-19 Peter is addressing his Israelite brethren (vs 9), telling them to “Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Note that true conversion must follow true repentance. Sin is disobedience to God’s Word/Truth/Law. One must repent of rejecting God’s Word, begin obeying His Word and continue to do so until the end of life or the return of Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 19:7 we are told that the Law of the Lord is perfect and can, if obeyed, convert the soul and make the simple wise. Again, note the connection between God’s Word, wisdom and conversion.

In Matthew 18:3 we find an interesting statement spoken by the Lord to the disciples who had asked Him who was greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus replied: “Verily I say unto you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Note that He is talking to His hand-picked disciples who had preached, healed the sick, cast out demons, etc., warning them that they were not yet converted, and would not be converted unless they became as humble as little children.

Lastly, in Luke 22:32 we find Jesus talking with Peter, to whom He would later give the keys to the kingdom, saying: “… and when you are converted, help your brethren” who would be struggling to be converted. This is the same disciple that God had spoken through, upon whom He would build his church and to whom He would give the keys to the kingdom (Mat. 16:16-19). Jesus made these promises to a man who had preached the gospel, healed the sick, cast out demons and walked on water, BUT HAD NOT BEEN CONVERTED. What does this say about the spiritual condition of those who have merely gone through the prescribed motions, show up at church regularly where they hear and believe men who tell them that the God of the Bible is an inveterate liar? L.J.