What Does “Conversion” Mean?

If you are a Christian some people may ask you, “When were you converted?”  While some traditions seek an answer to this question saying “asking Jesus into your heart”, “being confirmed”, or “being filled with the Spirit”, while others may just say they were “born into the faith”.   The true place of conversion in our spiritual life may not be as simple or linear as any of those answers.

This week the Anglican tradition celebrates the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus.  Saul was a clear example of a miraculous conversion in a moment. After Saul was converted he was so different he took a new name.  He became Paul the Apostle, who wrote much of the New Testament.  

Before ‘Saul’ became ‘Paul’, he was as far away from a Christ follower as one could be.  He didn’t just disagree with Christians, he searched out those who had converted to Christianity and persecuted them – leading others to kill them with stones.  

Then on the road to Damascus he, famously, saw a great light, fell to the ground and became blind.  He heard the voice of Jesus asking him, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?” He didn’t eat for 3 days.  A brave Christian named, Ananias, was lead to him by God and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 9:17)

Not all of us have that type of conversion experience.  If you don’t have a story like Paul, it doesn’t mean your faith journey is ‘less than’; it just means it’s different.  Sometimes we might be converted in a moment; often it takes more time.  First, there is a heart change, then a change of direction or action. That order is important, whether your conversion is quick or over time.

First, a change of heart.  

True actions always flows from the heart. Jesus said “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34) Whatever comes out from us, either in action or speech, has a source from within us.  Like a spring of water flowing up to the surface, so our actions rise from our heart. 

The last couple weeks at Mariners’ Church we’ve been talking about a scripture in Romans 12 that says, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. (Rom. 12:1) A renewed mind is the result of true repentance and it is given by God to those who ask for it.

When we try to induce change from without instead of surrendering to change by the Spirit from within, the change can be disingenuous, forced, and therefore temporary.  True change comes from the Spirit and from within. The word repentance in the Bible literally means a “change of mind”. This is the first step in a change of action.  If you want to see this change, ask God for the power to make that change by the Spirit of God motivated out of love for Him. True repentance isn’t about punishing yourself, but it is the natural response to God’s grace, goodness, and love and leads to life and freedom.

Second, a change of direction. 

Once God has changed our heart and mind, the actions follow.  Paul says this about his own actions after his Damascus road experience and of those who sincerely heard his message of freedom and repentance:

Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Acts 26:19-20)

Actions are like a thermometer reading the temperature of the heart, not a thermostat that regulates it. A change in action is the natural outflow “in keeping with repentance”.  We can, with God’s help through surrender, abandon sinful habits that drag us down and keep our heart from Him.  

This conversion of the heart is not a one time moment, however, it is a daily practice.  This is why we are encouraged to read, pray, meditate on God’s word. We fellowship with other Christians as often as we can.  These daily habits lead us to true repentance and conversion.   

The Book of Common Prayer leads us in a prayer of repentance every day. If you are frustrated with an area of your life that you aren’t seeing change, ask God for a conversion of your heart. Pray this prayer and surrender to God that specific area of sin, daily:

“Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent.

As you pray this simple prayer of repentance and conversion, I pray the Holy Spirit gives the change you desire as you fall more in love with Him.  It may not be the dramatic experience of Paul with a blinding light, but it can be just as life changing.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd