Tuesday, April 20, 2010

True Conversion

Today I'd like to share with you the devotional thought provided in my Grace Gems (www.gracegems.org) daily e-mail feed. It speaks to the changed life after conversion to Christianity.

Something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people

(J. C. Ryle, "Old Paths")

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Does anyone ask me what we may expect to see in a true conversion? I reply--there will always be something seen in a converted man's . . .

character,
feelings,
conduct,
opinions
and daily life.

You will not see perfection in him; but you will see in him--something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people.

You will see him . . .

hating sin,
loving Christ,
following after holiness,
taking pleasure in his Bible,
persevering in prayer.

You will see him . . .

penitent,
humble,
believing,
temperate,
charitable,
truthful,
good-tempered,
patient,
upright,
honorable,
kind.

These, at any rate, will be his aims--these are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection.

In some converted people you will see these things more distinctly--in others less. This only I say--wherever there is true conversion, something of this kind will be seen.

1 comment:

  1. Isn't the beauty of God's grace just that? Beautiful!

    "You will not see perfection in him." Whew! What a relief as far from perfect am I. Aren't we all?

    I love that it is said: "The Christian life is not about perfection, but direction."

    Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete

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