The Change

I think the modern gospel has deceived many people who are active in the church but absent from the book of life. The heart is deceitful and Satan can give you a false piece to keep his goods in his kingdom. Some people don't know if they're saved.

I had a man tell me once that he really didn't know if he was saved. He had some uncertainty about it. He could not put his finger on a time in his life where he knew he was truly saved.

I believe if God has saved you, friend, you will know it. Conversion has changed. I don't believe a man can undergo conversion and not be aware of it.

Conversion is the greatest change a man can undergo in this world. But modern evangelism has corrupted the gospel and deceived millions into believing that salvation is in the decision or in church membership rather in conversion. And here lies the great gulf between heaven and hell.

Is God the agent of salvation or is man? Are men saved as a result of a decision they make or as the result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit? For years I was an unconverted church member who was a complete stranger to work of grace upon the heart. Conversion is when a sinner experiences change. He passes from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light and life.

Your trouble may be, friend, you might be a victim of the modern gospel. You may have made a decision to become a Christian like you decide on a political candidate or like you decide to join a health club or a gym. You reviewed all the benefits and made a choice but you have never been born again.

Let me share with you the story of John Wesley who knew what it was like to be a religious lost man. Wesley journeyed to America for two years as a missionary to the Indians and he wrote in his journal On the Journey Home. I went to America to convert the Indians, but oh, who shall convert me? It was one evening in London on May 24, 1738, when John Wesley's famous conversion occurred, he wrote in his journal.

In the evening I went, very unwillingly, to a society meeting in Aldersgate Street where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans about a quarter before nine while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. Notice friends, Wesley knew the date of his conversion as well as the time the change occurred. I don't think a man can be converted and not be aware of it.

It's the greatest change that can happen to a man. Let me quote you what Solomon Stoddard, the grandfather of Jonathan Edwards, had to say on the subject of conversion. He writes, Before they were converted, they were under a sentence of condemnation.

Now they have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Men are generally a long time seeking conversion, laboring to get an interest in Christ, and it would be much if, when God reveals Christ to them, they should not take notice of it when the change is made. But ten to one, conscience will take notice of it when a seaman comes into the harbor, when a prisoner is pardoned, when a victory is obtained, when a disease is broken.

It would be much if men should take no notice of them. Conversion is the greatest change that men undergo in this world. Surely it falls under observation, but the prodigal knew well enough the time of his return to his father's house.

Well, the subject we are discussing today, friends, is the most important matter you will ever be faced with. Are you born again? Have you experienced change? Or did you just make a decision when Jesus was here in his earthly ministry, as he passed through towns and villages, those who encountered him experienced change? Have you been changed by work of grace upon the heart? I like what Vance Havner said of the rich young ruler. He said, the rich young ruler was a good boy, but he wasn't God's boy.

Are you God's boyfriend? Are you God's girl? Romans 8.16 declares, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Friend, have you undergone change? Back when I was a lost religious church member, I knew my Bible, but I didn't know God. Then one day God showed me mercy and showed me I was lost.

He got me lost, and he showed me I was on my way to hell, and not only that, I deserved to go there. Well, I got serious with God that day. I became a seeker of God that day, as I spent the afternoon wrestling with him in prayer.

And bless God, he saved me. I didn't share this news with my wife because I was too embarrassed to tell her she didn't marry a Christian man after all. So I waited about three weeks until one morning in the kitchen, I turned to her and I said, I have something serious to say to you.

I need to tell you something important. I told her that God saved me about three weeks ago. I said, he really saved me.

She looked me in the eye and replied, I know. I've noticed a change in you. Can your loved ones say of you, friend, that you are a changed person? I like the t-shirt a new believer wore to a church picnic.

It read, under new management. Have you experienced conversion, friend? Are you under new management? Are you born from above and washed in the blood? You must be born again.