Grenz & Conversion

"Conversion occurs as an individual responds to the gospel. in repentance we see ourselves as sinners: as alienated from God, justly condemned, and enslaved by sin. We acknowledge that our life's direction is misguided, we feel remorse for this condition, and we desire to follow a new direction. but we know that we are ultimately helpless. We are unable to begin anew and powerless to remedy our situation. Faith works hand in hand with repentance. We become aware of the good news of God's action in Christ: Jesus, God's Son, died for human sin and rose again by God's power. We acknowledge this gospel message as true, not only in some general sense but also as applicable to our situation. Finally, we appropriate the work of God in Christ, trusting Jesus alone for salvation and confessing him as Lord. As the working together of repentance and faith, conversion marks a great turning point. it is our personal break with the old life and our entrance into the new. Above all, conversion consists in a turning to God. In this great transaction God draws our face toward the one who in Christ has loved us and made salvation available. Through repentance and faith we dedicate ourselves to a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Linked to this turn toward God is a turning to others. in repentance and faith we leave behind the old self-centered way of living and dedicate ourselves to follow the example of Jesus, the man for others. We seek the good of all persons, knowing that acts which minister to people in their need are acts of service to Christ (Matthew 25:40)." (Stanley J. Grenz "Theology for the Community of God." 409, 410)

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Are we truly changed after salvation?
Are we perfect?
Why are so many of us not changed and transformed like we should be?

I pray this week that we all take time to pray to God to teach us about himself and ways we fail him, ways we can change and tranform our self. In the end, we are responsible most for our own personal relationship with God and our own responses to others. Also, lets all take time to read Gods word, to "Search the scriptures" intently, not merely glancing and skimming but truly soaking in and absorbing God's word and looking for application and relation into our life.

What will I change?
What will you change?
What will our church change?
What will the American Church Change?
The Church as a whole change?

Will we minister?
How will we minister?
How can we allow God to use us?
Will we allow God to use us?

Your Brother in Christ,
~ Daniel Brockhan