"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." --Lamentations 3:40
The metric system provides a standard of measurement for all the countries in the world except three: Burma, Liberia and the United States. In the countries that take exception to this standard, conversion is necessary when weights and measurements need to be compared and calculated. In our faith walk, Jesus is the standard by which we measure every aspect of our lives. But for those who take exception to the standard of Christ, conversion is necessary. There is no fancy formula or complicated calculation for faith conversion--just belief and trust in Jesus, "...whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Today, so much of the world takes exception to the standard of Jesus. They deny that He is the Way, and they look for other ways to heaven or they go their own ways. They refute that He is the Truth, and they redefine truth to fit their own world views and lifestyles. They ignore that He is the Life, and they keep walking in the shadow of death. In each instance those who reject Christ and conversion have "exchanged the truth of God for a lie" and worship created things rather than the Creator Himself (Romans 1:25). Those who deny the truth of Christ make conversion a complex issue with arguments, accusations and attacks on the person and the deity of Jesus, much like the Pharisees did when they looked for ways to trap him and kill him when He walked this earth. But the formula is simple: Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6b), and "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life..." (John 3:36). How often is your conversion the topic of your conversation? How will you "weigh in" at the last day when Jesus returns? Conversion requires a firm commitment and must be held to the high standard of Christ. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Cor 13:5)
Our Father in heaven, as we seek to walk more closely with Jesus, reveal to us the ways in which we fail to measure up to the high calling you place upon our lives. Grant us your grace and empower us by your Holy Spirit, to walk with conviction in our steps and in our conversation so that others may be drawn to Christ. Amen.
--Julie Allar
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