Steps in Conversion

"Repentance, faith, and baptism are the requisite steps in conversion." Letter 174, 1909.

What would happen if you give a birth to a baby weighing 8 pounds and 5 ounces? A year later, the baby stayed the same, 8 pounds and 5 ounces. Years after and this baby remained the same at 8 pounds and 5 ounces, showing no sign of growth. Can it be the same with many Seventh-day Adventists?

There are many that have not grown from their “baby-state”. Many have been a member for 8 – 20 years in the church, sat on the same pew, listening to sermons after sermons, sang the same hymn and behaving like a converted saints.

The matter-of-fact is that until Jesus comes again, we will never be converted. However, we need to go through that process of conversion. Many of us think that we are rich, wealthy, and have no need of nothing, but the word of the Lord says, “Do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the same of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” – Revelation 3:17b-19 –NKJV.

We need to commit our life to Christ daily. Learn from Him, He said, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire… white garments, that you may be clothed”. We need to search His word, and yearn to hear His voice daily. There is a quote from Patriarchs and Prophets, page 470 that states, “God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the heart.”

As I learn from God, I realize that God loves us so much that He’s willing to lead us through our conversion even when He has to remove blessings from us. My selfishness and pride have removed those blessings. I have pushed Him aside as if I am capable of standing on my own two feet to justify my sin. How depressing is that?

I truly believe that the quote stated above is accurate. We need to come in to repentance daily of our sins. We need to have faith in Christ daily, assuring that He has died for our sins and He is willing to guide us. Finally, we need to realize that the only way to a true conversion is that we need to be baptized, to die from our selfishness and be resurrected in Christ daily. We will end up as an 8 pounds and 5 ounces baby unless we take our part in taking the requisite steps in conversion.

           Christ said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

A. F. Lolowang.