How Does Conversion Begins?

I discovered three important elements that are crucial for the conversion of our soul. Take note what the Spirit of Prophecy says;

 

#1- CONSISTENT PRAYER LIFE

 

“The darkness of Satan, the evil one, is around those who do not pray. The enemy leads them into sin because they do not meet with God in prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be slow to pray? God has a great storehouse of blessings, and prayer is the key in the hand of faith that unlocks heaven’s storehouse. Unless we pray often, we are in danger of growing careless. We may be led to turn from the right path. Satan is always trying to block the path to God. He does not want us to receive grace and power through prayer to resist evil.” SC 94

 

“You are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you, unless there was actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this; but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore He has bid you to pray.” Lift Him Up, December 20

 

“Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.” GW 254

 

“By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go.” MH 182

 

“Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5. To abide means consistency and consistency is the only way for spiritual growth. Let me share some important statements from the Spirit of Prophecy;

 

#2- CONSISTENT PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY

Conversion Begins Not by Working but by Sitting at the Feet of Jesus like Mary

“The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence, promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power for good.” DA 525

 

Consistently Spending Quality Time with God through His Word Daily

“The only way in which the Christian will be able to keep himself unspotted from worldly influence will be by searching the Scriptures and by obeying the Word of God to the very letter. Satan is playing the game of life for every soul, but no one needs to be overcome by his deceptive reasoning. Those only who consent to his sophistry will be deceived by his counsels. But if the truth of God regulates the life, it must be planted in the heart. The truth will produce true beauty in the soul that will be revealed in the character. But if this result is attained, it will be because the truth is cultivated and cherished…..As the true seeker after the truth reads the Word, and opens his mind to receive the Word, he longs after truth with his whole heart. The love, the pity, the tenderness, the courtesy, the Christian politeness, which will be the elements in the heavenly mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him, take possession of his soul.” OHC 204

 

 

 

“The Word of God is the means by which our sanctification is to be accomplished. It is of the greatest importance, then, that we acquaint ourselves with the sacred instruction of the Bible." RH July 6, 1911

 

“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

 

 

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. The Scriptures are the great agency in the transformation of character. Christ prayed, "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth." John 17:17. If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us.” COL 100

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14

 

“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Eph.5:26

 

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

 

“All truth is to be received as the life of Jesus. Truth cleanses us from all impurity, and prepares the soul for Christ’s presence. Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. The truth is to be partaken of every day. Thus we eat the words of Christ, which He declares are spirit and life. The acceptance of the truth will make every receiver a child of God, an heir of heaven.” OHC 208

 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so prove to be my disciples. " John 15:7, 8 RSV

 

“If His Spirit abides in the heart, sin cannot dwell there." RH March 16, 1886

 

 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

 

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

 

“All who do not earnestly search the Scriptures and submit every desire and purpose of life to that unerring test, all who do not seek God in prayer for a knowledge of His will, will surely wander from the right path and fall under the deception of Satan.” CCh 320

 

 

If the Word of God Is Neglected, Disaster and Defeat Follow

 

“If the Sacred Scriptures were studied and followed, the Christian would be fortified to meet the wily foe; but the word of God is neglected, and disaster and defeat follow.” CS 210

 

 

 

Jesus Resists Temptation by the Word of God

 

“By what means did He overcome in the conflict with Satan? By the word of God. Only by the word could He resist temptation….Every promise in God's word is ours. "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" are we to live. When assailed by temptation, look not to circumstances or to the weakness of self, but to the power of the word. All its strength is yours.”  DA 123

 

“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

#3- CONSISTENT SERVICE FOR THE MASTER

 

It is a universal principle that whenever one refuses to use his God-given powers, these powers decay and perish. {AA 206.2}

 

The spiritual faculties will grow weak and die if they are not exercised in winning souls to Christ.” {9T 105.2}

He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.  {SC 101.1}

 

Sulad Jhun Cardeinte writes from Thailand. His email address is acardeinte@aiias.edu

Follow his FB page: Adventist ToolBoX

 

To read the previous blog articles, go to SULADS Thailand website and click blog section. Direct link below; https://www.suladsthailand.com/blog-1/