Counsel #3 — Convicted And Converted

Picture: Counsel #3 — Convicted And ConvertedCSL 5.1

When you have expressed belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, then invite the Holy Spirit to lead you to repentance. It’s hard to conceptualize Jesus dying on Calvary for our sins unless we recognize our inherent selfishness. The Holy Spirit brings us to sorrow for our sins because they separate us from the God we are learning to love.CSL 5.2

At Pentecost when the multitude asked, “What shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent.” (see Acts 2:37, 38). The same Spirit who convicts us of our sins will also give us power and motivation to turn away from evil with abhorrence.CSL 5.3

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19 NKJVCSL 5.4

“Jesus has said, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.’ John 12:32. Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance.” Ellen White in Steps to Christ, p. 126CSL 5.5

Reflect: Though you may have experienced conviction of your sins, do you sometimes struggle with allowing the Holy Spirit to convert you?^{[4]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/sanctification-as-empathy/ (At first glance you may wonder how this reference fits our topic for today. But consider how this article demonstrates love as the outflow of conviction and conversion.)}CSL 5.6