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  NO CHANGE - NO CONVERSION
  by Selwyn Hughes
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Summary: Conversion is the change by which one passes from the kingdom
of self to the kingdom of God, and it is essential for entering the
kingdom of heaven.

Topics: "Spiritual Conversion", "Eternal Life"
Scripture References: Matthew 18:3, John 3:3, Acts 3:19, Acts 26:18, Romans 16:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 4:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, James 5:19

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DESCRIPTION
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Selwyn Hughes emphasizes the importance of spiritual conversion as the
gateway to receiving divine forgiveness and eternal life. He highlights
Jesus' words that being converted is essential to entering the kingdom
of heaven, emphasizing that all other distinctions in society are
insignificant compared to being either converted or unconverted. Hughes
expresses sadness over the NIV translation of Matthew 18:3, preferring
the more powerful imagery of being 'converted' rather than simply
'changing.' He defines conversion as the shift from the kingdom of self
to the kingdom of God, emphasizing that true conversion involves a
significant change in one's life.

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CONTENT
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"Greet ... Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province
of Asia." (v. 5)

For reading & meditation:

Romans 16:1-16

A word which the gospel associates with salvation is the word
"conversion." Salvation is the offer of divine forgiveness and the gift
of eternal life; conversion is the way we enter into that experience and
receive the gift. The word "conversion" means to turn about or change
one's direction. Though other religions talk about spiritual conversion,
the experience they speak of bears no relation whatsoever to the thought
in the mind of Jesus when He said: "Except ye be converted ... ye shall
not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3 KJV). We divide people
into races, classes, sexes, nationalities, rich and poor, educated and
uneducated, but Jesus divided men and women into just two classes - the
converted and the unconverted. Apparently, to Him no other distinctions
mattered. If you are converted, you are in the kingdom; and if you are
not converted, you are not in the kingdom. There are no exceptions.
Listen to the words once again: "Except ye be converted ... ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven." I think it sad that the NIV
translation of the Bible doesn't use the words "except" or "converted"
in Matthew 18:3. It simply says: "unless you change and become like
little children." The truth is still there, but in my opinion the words
used are not as picturesque or as powerful. Conversion can be explained
like this: it is the change, gradual or sudden, by which one passes from
the kingdom of self to the kingdom of God. And if there is no change,
there is no conversion.

O God, I am thankful that amidst all the awakenings and new experiences
I can enter into in this life, You are eager to give me the supreme
awakening - spiritual conversion. May multitudes enter into it today. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/selwyn-hughes/no-change-no-conversion/
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