Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Have you ever tried to convince somebody to change their mind about something? Maybe when you were a child you can remember convincing your mother to make pizza for supper rather than meatloaf. Perhaps you convinced your dad to take you to the beach rather than the park.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
The Apostle Paul was doing the same type of thing. He spent his life trying to convince people to turn away from their sins to the truth of the Gospel. If he could get them to believe the truth of God’s Word, they could turn from their sinful ways and be saved.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Conversion is to bring somebody over to a different way of thinking, which causes them to change both their character and their function. In high school, a guidance counselor may attempt to get you to change your mind on your career choice, and redirect you towards a different one. A friend of yours might convince you to stay home on a Friday night, rather than going out to a party with classmates. The Apostles were trying to persuade people to turn from wrong to right and from darkness to light.
Acts 26:15-20 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Believing scriptural truth is what leads someone to change their lives and purify themselves from sin. Instead of believing the lies and philosophies of this world, we place our faith and trust in God’s Word. Instead of walking the wide road of the world, we step onto the narrow path of Christ.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
If someone doesn’t possess faith, they will never be able to please God and obediently submit to His will.
Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Conversion begins by taking one first step, turning from sin by accepting the truth. When that happens it’s like turning on a light switch because your life can completely change. God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, but one must first come to the realization that they are in the wrong. Unless you do this, change cannot happen. Conversion to the truth is essential if one desires to enter into eternal life.
Matthew 18:1-4 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Everywhere the the disciples went, they were trying to persuade people to believe the truth in Christ. One of the greatest examples of love towards a neighbor is trying to convince them to turn from their sins so that they can be saved eternally. God will judge everyone according to their works, and unless you can persuade them to repent of their evil deeds, they will perish.
2 Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The disciples were not people pleasers. They told others the things that needed to be said for the sake of their salvation.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Many times the truth is not received and will result in being persecuted, harassed and even hated. Instead of receiving the truth, they focus their animosity on the messenger. Their fight is ultimately with the Sword of God’s Word which will certainly hurt, if you are outside the genuine teachings of our faith.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
You never want to reject a messenger of God who is preaching the things of heaven.
Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Those who don’t turn from sins, will die in their sins. There is only one of two places that people will reside after their time expires here on the Earth. It will be determined by the acceptance or rejection of our Lord Jesus and His Holy Word.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
If one of your friends was going to jump off of a diving board into a pool that didn’t have any water, would you warn them? If someone was driving the wrong direction down the highway, would you honk your horn and try to get their attention? If people were caught up believing lies and unbiblical doctrine, would you try to turn them from the error of their way?
Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Are you trying to convince others to believe in Christ? Are you attempting to turn them from sin to the truth? How strong is your…..
……Power of Persuasion
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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