I miss the old word “convert”. Many years ago it was common to hear people speak about “converts”. After a meeting folks would ask “How many converts did you have?”–meaning ‘How many souls were saved?”. But things have changed. People no longer look for or expect change. We live in a day when professing Christians live just like the world, and hardly anyone is surprised or disappointed. But the truth is you can’t receive Christ as your Lord and Savior without being changed.
Notice, I said “being changed”, not “changing”. We aren’t saved by changing our conduct, but we are changed when we are saved. Change is the result, not the reason, of salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, not of works (Eph. 2:8-9), but the faith that brings salvation produces works. If you claim to be a Christian and have no desire in your heart to please Christ it is cause for alarm.
It’s strange that some people are so determined to dismiss the matter of good works and change in character. Why would you do that unless you’re trying to excuse or justify your faults? We need to face the facts and the truth is that when we receive Christ we become a “new creature“. If there is no change there is no evidence of conversion. Believing works are expected does not mean we believe they are essential to salvation. Works are an evidence of salvation, not the cause. The moment God saves us the Holy Spirit starts to dwell within us and we receive a new nature that desires to please God. Salvation is a matter of transformation, not reformation. So, are you truly a convert? Can you sing this grand old hymn and really mean it? –HDS
Since Jesus Came into My Heart
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Floods of joy o’er my soul
Like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
There’s a light in the valley of death now for me,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
I shall go there to dwell in that City, I know,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy, as onward I go,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Refrain
