A Call to Conversion

Conversion is at the very heart of the relationship between God and his people. In fact, our
relationship with God begins with a call to convert and continues through conversion. 2
Chronicles 7:14 reads that, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and
I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. The Bible on the whole is an invitation to
conversion. The gospels begin with a call to conversion. We read in Mark 1:15 that, the time
has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Subsequently, Christianity is a journey to conversion. J. C. Ryle notes that, It Conversion is not
a one-off event. Thomas Merton observes that, We are not converted only once in our lives but
many times and this endless series of conversions and inner revolutions leads to our
transformation. While David A. Bednar emphasise that, For many of us, conversion is an
ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience.
Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our
thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the
Lord requires both persistence and patience. So, what is conversion then? We often think of
conversion in terms of changing religions. Mother Teresa asserts that, Conversion is not only
changing the faith. Conversion is changing the heart and working over there is the grace of
God. Then only comes the question of change of faith. Nobody can force you, not even the
holy prophets. Conversion is an invitation to a newness. When one becomes converted the
person is made into a new creature. Joseph Alleine explains that, Conversion is not a repairing
of the old building, but it takes all down and erects a new structure. It is not the sewing on a
patch of holiness; but, with the true convert, holiness is woven into all his powers, principles
and practice. We all stand in need of conversion because we are sinners. Romans 3:23-24 New
International Version (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus Paul reminds in
Romans 3:23-24 that, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Pope Francis thus notes,
We are all sinners. We are called to a conversion of heart. The love of God for us should be the
principle for our conversion. Ezekiel 18:32 reads that, For I take no pleasure in the death of
anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! Archibald Alexander observes that, God
is not glorified in any transaction upon earth so much as in the conversion of a sinner. The
Psalmist thus declares that, when I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I
was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer. Know ye also
that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto
him. We need to allow God in for our conversion. Joseph Alleine affirms that, Conversion is a
work above man's power... Never think you can convert yourself. If ever you would be savingly
converted, you must despair of doing it in your own strength. It is a resurrection from the dead,
a new creation, a work of absolute omnipotence... Conversion is a supernatural work.

The first readings from Acts 3;13-15,17-19 calls the Jewish audience to conversion. The Jews
need to repent for allowing killed the Lord of life. They need to look on the one they killed for
their life. The resurrection of Jesus becomes the paradox since it shows the rejected stone to be
the corner stone.
The gospel reading from Luke 24:35-48 lays the mission of the church as conversion. Paul
David Tripp holds that, The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion,
confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and sanctification center, where flawed
people place their faith in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others
as he designed. The church after the resurrection of Christ has mission to preach forgiveness
for sins. Colossians 3:5 reads that, put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly
nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. David A.
Bednar opines that, Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently
being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. Conversion does not equate perfection; it
is having our focus on God. Richard J. Foster asserts that, Conversion does not make us perfect,
but it does catapult us into a total experience of discipleship that affects - and infects - every
sphere of our living.

The second reading from 1 John 2: 1-5 conversion as an expression of the love that humanity
has for God. Pope Benedict XVI notes that, Because the truth of God is love, conversion to
God is conversion to love. Humble obedience to the will of God is the evidence of our
conversion. Henri Nouwen tells us that, The great # conversion called for by Jesus is to move
from belonging to the world to belonging to God. He goes on to affirm that, Living a spiritual
life requires a change of heart, a conversion. Such a conversion may be marked by a sudden
inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always
involves an inner experience of oneness.

(Reflection on the 3rd Easter Sunday B, By Owinyo Adoyo, Lecturer in Biblical Studies,
mowinyo@cuea.edu)