3rd August

Conversion

For many people conversion only means a change of religion. Others will say it is a kind of reformation of somebody who gets mobilized in a humanitarian goal. However, in reality the word evokes a U turn, a change of everybody's heart. First of all the human problem is spiritual and then only social. The inner change conditions the outside behaviour. First inside, then outside!

In the Bible God speaks about this necessity: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you" (Ezekiel 36, 26). This change is possible because of the work fulfilled by Jesus through his death on the cross. In Acts 4, 12 the apostle Peter declares: "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

In the parable of the lost son he realizes his moral misery in front of God and declares: "I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Luke 15, 18). So he stands up and returns back to his home. In his father's arms he will taste forgiveness and peace (v. 20).

Yes, the whole problem is here. As long as we make illusions about our inner state by closing our eyes on the evil which is there, we will not be prepared to do a U turn which involves repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.