Conversioin
Author: Michael Lawrence
Written: 2017
“A Christian is someone whose heart has been transformed by God’s grace, who is characterized by repentance in faith, who desires to be with God and know him more. ”
Hello Ordinary Readers,
This may be the best of the 9Marks booklet series. If not the best it is the most central. I think many of us take for granted the theology of conversion. Also, I am not sure until reading this book did I really had a full understanding. It was apparent though that the church that I began going to did not explicitly teach conversion because they were saturated in the gospel my process was much like Michael Lawrence discusses.
So why is this book so important? I think it is because as we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ, we must have an understanding of what a heart change is. I think often when evangelism happens Christians and churches have gotten away from truly seeking a changed heart. Here is a list of Lawerence’s early chapter headings that I think really sum up the problem that the church struggles with.
New, Not Nice
Saved, Not Sincere
Disciples, Not Decisions
Holy, Not Healed
Distinct, Not Designed
To summarize in a sentence many churches teach that to be a Christian is to be nice, sincere, make a decision, heal, and be in a self-designed community. Rather than a Christian being new, saved, a disciple of Jesus, holy, and in a distinct community. This book I think gives us a better understanding of the doctrine of conversion and why it is important.
This is in my opinion a must-read for every believer. It will help lay a foundation for when you share the gospel with others what true conversion is. Our churches must get back to teaching this doctrine.
Happy Reading!
Quotes
“Grace is what saves. Faith is the instrument, which means that we’re not saved by faith. Rather, we’re saved by grace, and faith receives that grace. Faith trusts that gift.”
“Repentance means turning to love God, whom we formerly hated, and serving him instead. It’s a new deepest loyalty of the heart.”
“A Christian is holy because he or she has been (1) set apart (2) to a new master (3) with a new love.”
“This demonstrates that the “power belongs to God and not to us.”