False Conversions
20-Oct-06
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. – 2 Corinthians 13:5
For a long time, I used to claim that I was saved at a young age (i.e. became a born-again Christian). But the more I learn from the Bible, I don’t believe that was the case. Instead, it was a false conversion developed from one of two types of “gospel” messages that I want to discuss that we’ll call false gospels. Let me also note that, now, I have been truly converted – a product of God’s grace & the true gospel of the Bible. I also want to state that it is possible for a young child to become a Christian; it just wasn't the case for me.
One type of false gospel promotes what’s been called life enhancement – Come to Jesus & He’ll give you love, joy, peace, happiness, etc. The problem here is that, though one may welcome this & “pray a sinner’s prayer”, there is a lack of repentance of sin and even a lack of understanding of what sin is. A person “comes to Jesus” for the wrong reason – personal gratification. While, love, joy & peace are fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and a Christian should posses them, we are never promised what is mistaken by the would-be saint as a trouble free “happy” life. As has been said, happiness depends on happenings (outside-in) and joy is from within (inside-out). When such a person experiences the promised hardship & persecution (John 15:18-21, 2 Tim 3:12) that God often used to develop the fruit of the Spirit in one's life (Romans 5:3-5), they bail out & retreat back to their “easy” (& short) life of gratifying the flesh (take the “h” out of flesh & spell it backwards).
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” – Matthew 4:17
The type of false gospel that I suffered from has been deemed fire insurance – “You need Jesus, else you’re going to hell. You don’t have a choice”. Pretty effective on young children. While I knew that I somehow earned the title of “sinner”, I only understood that because I had been indirectly called that by the pastor every Sunday leading up to my “coming forward”. I had no idea how ugly my sin was, how it was directly insulting to God, prevented any type of relationship with God or why it sentenced me to a very hot place of weeping & gnashing of teeth. I was simply avoiding this terrible place by doing the only thing I had ever been told to do – “walk the isle”. I thought that somehow, this Jesus guy died on a cross for something a long time ago and if I believed that, then I was free & clear. Oh yea, and I also had to believe that he rose again. My concept of sin was nil and my connection to the cross unidentified.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
It wasn’t until years later, after much acquainting with sin, that I realized what sin really was. And like a kid playing with a pretty seashell only to find it full of angry crab, I dropped it & ran. I can’t give you a date, but it happened. Repentance (via Godly sorrow) – more than sorry for getting caught (like worldly sorrow). By God’s grace, love & patience, He not only showed me who He was – Holy God Almighty, but also who I was – that wretched thing called a sinner – my forgotten title. I began to read the Bible & began to fellowship with other believers (some call it going to church – I actually wanted to go!). I began to see that it was my sin that Jesus was sentenced to die on a cross for. I read & shuttered. He rose to conquer death & give me eternal life. Not just any eternal life, one with God! Only possible because when He took on my sins that I’d been gathering, He gave me His righteousness – not guilty!
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Some might say that I was just a back-slider. I used to claim that too. I now know better. After surrendering my pride, I began to see that my life between false & true conversions didn’t line up with Scripture. I reasoned that sure I was saved back then – I would have admitted that I was a Christian. As if it were something to be ashamed of. My life before my true conversion didn’t square up with Scripture. One of them had to move.
By their fruit you will recognize them... A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. – Matthew 7:16a, 18-20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22
Back in my sin collecting days, I failed to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. Not only that, I welcomed sin instead of hating it. I had none of the “spiritual birthmarks” indicated in 1 John (read it). In fact, I was the opposite. I didn’t want to go to church. I didn’t want to be around other Christians. I didn’t want to read the Bible. I didn’t obey Jesus’ commands or care to know them. I didn’t acknowledge my sin, but kept on sinning. I was one with the world.
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. – John 8:47
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching…He who does not love me will not obey My teaching.” – John 14:23a, 24a
…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. – Hebrews 12:10b
While God is patient, He must maintain His reputation of holiness (Isaiah 6:1-3) & therefore is just (Job 34:12). For the same reason that our sin had to be punished so that we could come to Him in the first place, a lifestyle of sin won’t be tolerated in a Christian. If we are God’s witnesses (Acts 1:8), He won’t allow our sin to diminish our testimony for all that long, probably not a year, let alone over a decade. Not to mention, anyone who’s been a Christian for more than a day knows that the separation caused by our sin leads to great angst and consternation (it feels as bad as it sounds) in our soul that is only alleviated by repentance and a broken spirit.
If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. – Hebrews 12:8
Not everyone who says to me (Jesus), ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23
…Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. – 2 Corinthians 13:5
For a long time, I used to claim that I was saved at a young age (i.e. became a born-again Christian). But the more I learn from the Bible, I don’t believe that was the case. Instead, it was a false conversion developed from one of two types of “gospel” messages that I want to discuss that we’ll call false gospels. Let me also note that, now, I have been truly converted – a product of God’s grace & the true gospel of the Bible. I also want to state that it is possible for a young child to become a Christian; it just wasn't the case for me.
One type of false gospel promotes what’s been called life enhancement – Come to Jesus & He’ll give you love, joy, peace, happiness, etc. The problem here is that, though one may welcome this & “pray a sinner’s prayer”, there is a lack of repentance of sin and even a lack of understanding of what sin is. A person “comes to Jesus” for the wrong reason – personal gratification. While, love, joy & peace are fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and a Christian should posses them, we are never promised what is mistaken by the would-be saint as a trouble free “happy” life. As has been said, happiness depends on happenings (outside-in) and joy is from within (inside-out). When such a person experiences the promised hardship & persecution (John 15:18-21, 2 Tim 3:12) that God often used to develop the fruit of the Spirit in one's life (Romans 5:3-5), they bail out & retreat back to their “easy” (& short) life of gratifying the flesh (take the “h” out of flesh & spell it backwards).
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” – Matthew 4:17
The type of false gospel that I suffered from has been deemed fire insurance – “You need Jesus, else you’re going to hell. You don’t have a choice”. Pretty effective on young children. While I knew that I somehow earned the title of “sinner”, I only understood that because I had been indirectly called that by the pastor every Sunday leading up to my “coming forward”. I had no idea how ugly my sin was, how it was directly insulting to God, prevented any type of relationship with God or why it sentenced me to a very hot place of weeping & gnashing of teeth. I was simply avoiding this terrible place by doing the only thing I had ever been told to do – “walk the isle”. I thought that somehow, this Jesus guy died on a cross for something a long time ago and if I believed that, then I was free & clear. Oh yea, and I also had to believe that he rose again. My concept of sin was nil and my connection to the cross unidentified.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
It wasn’t until years later, after much acquainting with sin, that I realized what sin really was. And like a kid playing with a pretty seashell only to find it full of angry crab, I dropped it & ran. I can’t give you a date, but it happened. Repentance (via Godly sorrow) – more than sorry for getting caught (like worldly sorrow). By God’s grace, love & patience, He not only showed me who He was – Holy God Almighty, but also who I was – that wretched thing called a sinner – my forgotten title. I began to read the Bible & began to fellowship with other believers (some call it going to church – I actually wanted to go!). I began to see that it was my sin that Jesus was sentenced to die on a cross for. I read & shuttered. He rose to conquer death & give me eternal life. Not just any eternal life, one with God! Only possible because when He took on my sins that I’d been gathering, He gave me His righteousness – not guilty!
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
Some might say that I was just a back-slider. I used to claim that too. I now know better. After surrendering my pride, I began to see that my life between false & true conversions didn’t line up with Scripture. I reasoned that sure I was saved back then – I would have admitted that I was a Christian. As if it were something to be ashamed of. My life before my true conversion didn’t square up with Scripture. One of them had to move.
By their fruit you will recognize them... A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. – Matthew 7:16a, 18-20
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22
Back in my sin collecting days, I failed to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. Not only that, I welcomed sin instead of hating it. I had none of the “spiritual birthmarks” indicated in 1 John (read it). In fact, I was the opposite. I didn’t want to go to church. I didn’t want to be around other Christians. I didn’t want to read the Bible. I didn’t obey Jesus’ commands or care to know them. I didn’t acknowledge my sin, but kept on sinning. I was one with the world.
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. – John 8:47
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching…He who does not love me will not obey My teaching.” – John 14:23a, 24a
…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. – Hebrews 12:10b
While God is patient, He must maintain His reputation of holiness (Isaiah 6:1-3) & therefore is just (Job 34:12). For the same reason that our sin had to be punished so that we could come to Him in the first place, a lifestyle of sin won’t be tolerated in a Christian. If we are God’s witnesses (Acts 1:8), He won’t allow our sin to diminish our testimony for all that long, probably not a year, let alone over a decade. Not to mention, anyone who’s been a Christian for more than a day knows that the separation caused by our sin leads to great angst and consternation (it feels as bad as it sounds) in our soul that is only alleviated by repentance and a broken spirit.
If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. – Hebrews 12:8
Not everyone who says to me (Jesus), ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23
…Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32