What Did You Receive When You Believed?
Conversion is Not Regeneration
This week, as you prepare to share your testimony with us and those the Lord places in your path, remember these words from Oswald Chambers that speak of the difference between conversation and regeneration.
The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our job as workers (witnesses) for God is to open people’s eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion— only the effort of an awakened human being. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing.
Conversion is not regeneration. When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, the forgiveness of sins.¹
Have you received the forgiveness of sins from the Lord? If so, make that a central point in your testimony so others can see their need and desire for what you have received, and then tell them how you received it. This is the essence of your testimony: Who you were, who you are now (or what you have received from the Lord to make you what you are), and how you got to where you are now. It is really that simple.
I pray your week has begun with Him and that you will seek Him earnestly in whatever task He places before you, for His glory.
Until He comes,
Notes:
1. Chambers, O. (1992). My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today’s Language (J. Reimann, Ed.; p. 10). WORDsearch, January 10th entry.
