Most of the people I know have had gradual conversion, and they are not too sure about people like me who have had a sudden and dramatic conversion!

So, what Selwyn has to say about this particular aspect, I find interesting.

For example, “The answers I have received lead me to believe that about 40 percent (of conversions) are gradual and 60% are sudden. Those whose conversions was gradual generally come from homes where from childhood they were taught to know and love Christ. … Sudden conversions usually come to those who, like myself, needed a decisive round-about-face. A sudden conversion does not mean, of course, that the Holy Spirit comes to a person only at he moment of surrender to Christ. He will have been at work prior to that moment, but the actual commitment is clear, decisive and, in some cases, very dramatic.”

In my case, converion was sudden and dramatic. I tend to think that I was so arrogant and selfish that the only way Jesus was going to get my attention was to give me a good shake! I’m reminded of an old joke; a fellow buys a donkey at the local market – the seller tells him that the donkey is very intelligent and will obey any command given to him. The guy gets the donkey home, attaches a cart and fills it with wood and orders the donkey to pull it. Nothing happens. It does not matter how loud the new owner yells – the donkey just won’t move.

So, completely frustrated he goes and gets the person who sold him the donkey and demands his money back – he says, ‘You lied – this donkey won’t obey any commands – take him back’. The seller picks up a large piece of wood – hits the donkey right between the eyes – and, tells the donkey to pull the cart. The donkey smartly obeys.

The seller then turns to the new owner, and says; ‘First, you have to get his attention!’

I think I had (and still have to a certain degree) the same problem as the donkey!

I think Selwyn introduces a really important point in today’s study.

He concludes by saying: “Some conversions are gradual, and some are sudden. Some unfold like a flower to the sun – little by little. Others are a sudden leap into the arms of God. Which of these two type of experience is more valid? Both are valid. It is not the phenomena associated with conversion that make it valid; what counts, as our text for today tells us, is that ‘by their fruit you will recognise them’ (Matthew 7:16). After all, the best evidence you are alive is never your birth certificate.”

Some people never spiritually grow past their conversion – they remain ‘young’ in their faith – for many different reasons. They are like a young bird who does not want to leave the nest – fear of the unknown and not enough faith in a loving God who will always catch them if they try to fly before it is their time – but they don’t want to take the risk. Their own skills are untested and they lack confidence in the relationship they have with Jesus. Sometime you just have to leap off the edge of your comfort zone and place everything into God’s hands. Do you agree?

I really like Selwyn’s introduction, regarding: ” … today multitudes of people all over the world will be drawn into the kingdom of God – and right now most of them will be completely unaware of this. (God’s) Spirit will move towards them as mysteriously as the wind, and before the day ends they will find themselves with a new allegiance. Nothing about them will ever be the same again – except their name. Their wandering planet will find itself in a new orbit, forever caught by a Love that will not let go.”

Don’t you love the last sentence – it really captures the feeling I have about my conversion – what about you?

Selwyn writes about John Wesley’s conversion, that he ‘felt his own heart “strangely warmed”, and at that moment he put his trust in Christ for salvation. This is what he said about the experience later: “An assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”‘ From this one conversion many in Cornwell and the west of England heard the good news about Jesus, because of Wesley’s ministry.

The point to keep in mind is that in reality, it was the power of the Holy Spirit working through Wesley that produced the results. As Romans 8:9 states: ‘You … are controlled … by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.’

Today’s prayer is worth reflecting upon: “O Father, what amazing things You can do through one person who is wholly committed to You. I open myself yet again to the ministry and power of Your Holy Spirit. Fill me to overflowing. In Christ’s name I ask it. Amen.” 

 

 

Today, the discussion continues on the Holy Spirit and His role in conversion. Selwyn writes: “The way in which the Holy Spirit works to bring about spiritual conversion is very revealing. As we observed yesterday, Jesus pointed out that the Spirit’s coming to men and women is as mysterious and unpredictable as the wind. …

He works sovereignly, secretly and mysteriously. And He comes to whom He wills, when He wills and where He wills.”

This is often hard for those living today to accept – we live in a world where scientific rationalism rules – and, there are even, so called liberal ‘Christians’, who won’t even accept the miracles of Jesus but would rather find rational explanations for His ‘signs and wonders’. A god, we can understand, is too small to be God of all that we see and don’t see, who exists outside of time and set the rules by which stuff like energy, gravity and light follow. As the main verse for today states (Romans 11:33) ‘How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!’

God’s sovereignity is not talked about much these days – why do you think this is so?

Selwyn now moves onto what is probably the greatest mystery – “the manner in which the Holy Spirit brings about the critical experience we call ‘conversion’. ”

In his concluding remarks Selwyn, I think, makes a very important point: “It is important to remember that Christian conversion cannot happen without the Holy Spirit. … The word conversion is made up of ‘con’, meaning ‘with’, and ‘vertere’, meaning ‘to turn’. Conversion is not just turning, but turning ‘with’. The with introduces us to the Holy Spirit, and the element of the Spirit in conversion makes it a new birth (to be born again). No Holy Spirit – no conversion. It is as simple as that.”

This point is important because it highlights an aspect many people miss – conversion is not the work of men or women. Forced conversions at the point of a gun or knife – are false; they can never last, as soon as the gun or knife is removed so too, is the ‘conversion’.  Evangelism is our work, that’s where we fit into the picture – but conversion is God’s work. As John 3:8 says: ‘The wind blows wherever it pleases … So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’

In general, the media, and many non-Christian religious groups do not understand this important truth – do you agree?

Selwyn spends one more day considering “the fact that sometimes when we ask God for light and illumination on life He surprises us with things we might have preferred not to know. … It is absurd, of course, to turn away in anger or hostility when God does this, for He only holds the mirror. The impurities are all in us. …

We can turn our back, when God, through the Holy Spirit identifies something in our life of which He does not approve, but by turning our back we have not cleansed our heart or restored our soul. There is only one thing to do when we tremble in the blinding light of some new revelation: walk into the light with God. Pain or no pain – we should walk on. The trembling will pass, and we will prove the power of God to strengthen the weak hands and strengthen the feeble knees. (Isaiah 35:3 & 4 - ‘Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come’ …’).”

When Jesus has ‘intruded’ into my life, I’ve been shocked and saddened that He needed to do it – but I’m eternally grateful that He did. I realise that I can’t walk on alone and by my own self-efforts, I constantly need His assistance every second of the day – so, I find it hard to understand how anyone could turn their back on God when he demonstrates His love to them in this way - and. getting us back on track is indeed the action of a loving and compassionate God. What do you think?