Conversion/Transformation
Discussion Question: What really convinces a person to follow Christ? Is it primarily an intellectual decision? An emotional response? Is it a result of a relationship with someone who knows Christ? What does it take to get people in a secular culture to seriously consider becoming a follower of Christ?
As we look to the book of Genesis, it is clear that man was created for individual relationship with God. That being said, individual relationship with God means that He would communicate to each of us in our own way. Therefore to put a firm stamp on how all people respond to God’s calling does not align with the ideal of individual relationship. When we hear and understand that He is in fact real, and when we understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, He then meets us where we are. A decision then can be based on an intellectual decision; an emotional response; a relationship with a believer; or a myriad of ways, dependent on the individual. However, my personal experience over the past 16 years has shown me that when all three are combined in some form or fashion there is a stronger foundation for successful transformation. For example this would be a person who makes a decision for Christ based on their intellectual study and has a relationship with a believer, who in a sudden moment of clarity and understanding becomes emotionally responsive to the Love of Christ. These folks in this category seem to get it quicker and have a firmer grasp of what is required of them when it comes to being a follower of Christ. Obviously there are always exceptions, but for the most part, I have found this to be true.
    That is why I am big fan of cell churches/home groups. They involve the intellectual study of the word; relationships are developed and nurtured; and when real community happens in a small group, much emotion can be evident (tears, laughter, happiness, grief, etc..). When a non-believer allows himself or herself to be immersed in an environment like this, and if it is very healthy, the chances of conversion/transformation are very high in my humble opinion. I have experienced this over and over in my own small group settings. It is an awesome experience to see someone gain knowledge and understanding and then see them smile with a healthy glow when they finally understand and submit to His Lordship. Additionally, if you look at the Acts 2 church model, the Holy Spirit and this type of healthy home church community are what made them so strong and effective in the face of such adversity and persecution.
    I recently read an online article by Scott McKnight author of The Jesus Creed, and this quote from that article describes some of the lack of understanding by many about conversion, I think it is totally appropriate for this discussion:  ”But, here is the problem and you won’t be surprised to hear this from me. The gospel is about God’s embracing grace that unleashes our embrace of God and our capacity to embrace others. You don’t respond to grace all at once, any more than you fall in love all at once. For far too many, conversion is seen as a Birth Certificate instead of a Driver’s License. (I said this in Jesus Creed, I think.) Conversion is a marriage rather than the Marriage Certificate. That question I’m being asked, and I don’t mean to be hard on anyone who is asking it, is a question that is asking how you get a Birth or Marriage Certificate, and I think the point is a Drivers License and a Marriage. The question the gospel of embracing grace asks is not what can I do to get in?;  but will I be a part of God’s work? Once this is understood, and that the gospel is designed to regenerate our hearts to love God and to love others, then what we are asked to do is as simple as that: we are asked to love God and to love others. That, my friends, ain’t sumfin that happens all at once. I don’t say I love Kris because one time I told her that, and I don’t love God because one time I asked Jesus into my heart. Now, don’t get me wrong here: there are beginnings and there are decisive moments, though not all know when they are (and I went to great efforts to make this clear in Turning to Jesus), but the issue is not the beginning but the relationship.”
    A solid foundation can and will be created if those we know who are new followers of Christ understand the above-mentioned ideals and concepts. This is a walk and good walks take a lot of time and may have lots of terrain change; it is best if those starting the walk are aware of that early on in the walk. I will now attempt to answer the last sentence of this response question. In plain and simple words, I think it takes genuine unconditional Love on display each and every day to attract the secular world. Love of God and Love of People on display in a real way. However, much of the Christian world has done damage to the greatest of commands. They have done more damage to the cause of Christ by being fake while disingenuously doing things and lying over and over again, e.g., if you do this or if you do that the kingdom of Heaven can be yours; or, if you wear these clothes God will recognize your sincere love for Him; or, if you send your money here you are assured of blessings and a full and happy life; blah, blah, blah, etc.. The secular world is tired of fake, they want real and I truly believe that they want the truth; but they want to see it carried out with sincerity, courage, love, and action. During the worst years of the Plague in Europe, it was the Christians who risked their lives to help nurture and care for the folks that the Pagans and non-believers left on the streets to die. When those around them saw their love carried out with courage and sincerity, this in turn created a desire in the secular world to know what these Christians were really about. Mother Theresa was known throughout the world, and the question is why? I would say it was because of her unconditional faith and love for both God and the people that He loves. However, the church as a whole has done a horrible job in this area in recent decades. We are so fractionalized and divided that we are unable to act as one huge mega-force of love and action. Instead, we have become the finger pointers, the inconsistent, the people of compromise, and the people of no action. This may or may not change in our lifetime, but until it does, the responsibility rests with each of us individually to do our part within our own sphere of influence. In those spheres, one can let the world know them by their love, their faith, and their actions.
[1] What is the Gospel? Article by Scott McKnight, Next-Wave-Ezine.