The Lord said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mat. 18:3). Conversion
means being turned about or back. Those not Christians need to be
converted. The Conversion process includes being taught the truth, 
believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, repenting of sins and being 
baptized.

What shows that one has been truly converted?	

  1. The love in the heart shown by the deeds of goodness and kindness
show we have been converted. Jesus said, "If any man love me, he will 
keep my words" (John 14:23). Love shows itself in obedience to Christ
and service for Christ. Love is also seen in our relationship to our
brethren. "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, 
God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." (I John 4:12).
Love is shown in our deeds to one another. "My little children, let us 
not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And 
hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts 
before him." (I John 3:18,19).

  2. Evidence of our conversion is shown in our words. Truly converted
people do not take the name of the Lord God in vain (Ex. 20:7). They 
know that for every idle word they give account in judgment 
(Mat. 12:36). Filthy, carnal talk will also be avoided because in 
Col. 3:8 we are told to put away "filthy conversation." Paul spoke 
forth words of truth and soberness (Acts 26:25). This is a good pattern
to follow in our speech at all times. The right words are as "apples 
of gold in pictures of silver" (Prov. 25:11). And, "a man hath joy by
the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it
is." (Prov. 15:23). 	

  3. Evidence of our conversion is shown in the friends we seek and
the burden for souls that we carry. We are not to be unequally yoked 
together with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14). This does not mean that we
are to have nothing to do with sinners because we must make contact 
with them and teach them for them to ever be converted. As converted
people we will not partake of the sinful deeds of the world but at the 
same time in love and kindness we will, upon having opportunity, give
a reason for the hope that is within us (I Pet. 3:15). 	

  4. Evidence of our conversion is shown in the fruit we bear. God is 
glorified in our bearing fruit (John 15:7). We need to bear the fruit
of joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 
temperance, and patience (Gal. 5:22, 23). We also teach lost people
and lead them to Christ so they can be saved (Acts 2:38-41). 	

  5. Evidence of our conversion is the carefulness with which we
maintain the truth in our worship and practice. If man does not abide 
in the teaching of Christ he does not have God but if he abides in the
doctrine of Christ  has both the Father and the Son (2 John 9). As 
converted people we are careful to rightly interpret, rightly teach, 
and rightly practice the gospel of Christ.	

  6. Our conversion is also shown in the liberality of our giving. 
"But whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, 
and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the 
love of God in him?" (I John 3:17). The Corinthian brethren were told
of the Macedonians who had first given themselves to the Lord and 
then to the fund for the needy saints with liberality (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

  7. As truly converted people we will have an inquisitive mind and 
are always studying the Bible, asking questions, and learning more of
the word of God. We know that the word of God builds us up in the faith
and leads us to the eternal inheritance (Act 20:32). We love Bible 
studies. We love Biblically sound preaching. We support the preaching 
and teaching of the gospel. We are ever growing in grace and knowledge
of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). 	

  8. If as converted people we fall into sin, or are overtaken in a 
fault we are quick to repent and come back to the Lord. "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9). We realize that we
can lose our salvation if upon falling, we do not quickly turn back to 
the Lord. 	

  9. As converted people we will look for every opportunity to do good
to all men (Gal. 6:9,10). 	

HAVE YOU BEEN CONVERTED TO THE LORD?

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