DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME
STUDY 2

CONVERSION AND ITS FRUITS

Naturally, a sinner is selfish. He seeks his own self-profit, pleasure and power and
consciously promotes his own advantage. He may profess to be a child of God
because he has been born into a Christian family or belongs to a gospel church while
he remains unconverted. He is dead in sins and trespasses, separated from the
commonwealth of Israel and will remain eternally separated from God if he dies
without true conversion (Ephesians 2:1-3, 12). He may have spent so many years in a
gospel church and may even be among the work force in the church, but if the old life
is still evident in his life, he is not yet converted (2 Corinthians 5:17).

CONVERSION – ITS MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE

What is conversion? (Psalm 19:7;51:12, 13; Matthew 18:1-4; Luke 22:31, 32; Acts
3:19). Conversion is the process by which a penitent sinner, realizing his sinful state,
manifests deep and godly sorrow for all sins, turns from them unto God, and becomes
changed. It involves a complete change of mind, direction and a change of Master.
Sincere repentance and godly sorrow for sin are important pre-requisites for salvation.
It always results in confession of sin – (Psalm 38:18; 1 John 1:9; Luke 15:21; 5:8;
Mark 1:5), forsaking sin (Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs 28:13), and turning to God (1
Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 26:18; Isaiah 55:7). A person might have remorse for his
deeds, but that does not lead to conversion. Remorse is only sorrow over the
embarrassing or painful results of sin. Only true repentance can lead to genuine
conversion.

1. Steps to True Conversion

i. Acknowledge your sinfulness (Romans 3:23; Psalm 53:3; Isaiah 53:6;
46:6; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 3:13).Everyone born into the world (apart from
the Lord Jesus Christ) was born a sinner. Acknowledge also that only the
blood of Jesus Christ can wash away your sins. (Isaiah 53:5, 6; Matthew
26:28; John 14:15: Acts 20:28; Romans 5:6-11, 18,19; Hebrews 9:12-14,
22-28;10:14, 19; 2:24).
ii. Repent of all your sins: Jonah 3:8-10; Ezekiel 18:30; 14:6; Acts 3:19; Luke
13:1-5. Repentance signifies and implies a turning from all known sins;
change of one’s mind and change of purpose and action. Sorrow for sin is
often associated with repentance, but it is such sorrow which causes an
abhorrence or hatred for it and to turn away from sin with all the heart.
iii. Confession of sins (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; Ezra 10:11). Confession
should be made to God of every known sin.
iv. Believe that God is true to His Promises (Isaiah 1:16-18; 43:25;
44:22;55:7; Micah 7:18; 1 John 1:9)
v. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart by faith (Revelation 3:20; John 1:12;
Mark 9:37).
2. Fruits of Conversion (Luke 6:45).
When one is truly converted, a positive change will characterize his life. Out of
the abundance of his heart will constantly proceed good fruits (Matthew 7:16-18;
Psalm 92;13,14; Ephesians 5:9; John 3:17; Galatians 5:22, 23). These fruits are
described below.
i. Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-4; Galatians 5:22). Divine love is the greatest of
all the fruits of the spirit. This love is God’s kind of love.
ii. Joy (Galatians 5:22; John 15:11; Romans 14:17; Psalm 43:4). This kind of
joy is J=Jesus first in all things O=Others next, Y=Yourself last.
iii. Peace (Galatians 5:22; Hebrews 13:20, 21; Philippians 4:9; Isaiah 9:6).
God is the author of peace. Peace is a state of quietness, harmony and
serenity in the midst of temptations. This kind of peace is supernatural. It
is deep inside even when there are fighting and terrors outside and around
the believer.
iv. Longsuffering (Galatians 5:22; Songs of Solomon 8:7; 2 Corinthians 6:4-
6; 1 Timothy 1:16). It is the spiritual capacity of being slow to anger,
capacity to wait with a restful spirit. The ability to bear long with the
frailties, offences and provocations of others without resentment and
murmuring. It is the powerful capacity of selfless love to bear all things
and continue in adverse situations. It is a generous willingness to
understand the awkward people, disturbing events and welcoming
situations that God allows to come your way. Long suffering has three
major benefits namely:- discipline, development and direction.
v. Gentleness (Galatians 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:1, 2; John 3:17).
Gentleness is the supernatural tenderness in loving, caring for,
appreciating, accommodating and correcting others, be they a friend,
partner, child, or subordinate in a soothing, mild disposition. This type of
gentleness also extends to our persecutors, revilers, scorners and all who
speak evil of us.
vi. Goodness (Galatians 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:8; Acts 10:38). It is
a state of showing mercy, benevolence, generosity and God-likeness in life
and conduct. It is a virtue that comes from God to a life that has received
abundance of grace. This type of goodness takes away any sense of pride
or patronage.
vii. Faith (Galatians 5:22; Romans 4:17-22; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 11:1;
Romans 10:17). It is having absolute confidence, reliance, trust and total
dependence upon God and His word. This kind of faith is active and
always put the best construction on every situation. Faith says ‘yes’ to God
and His word and ‘no’ to everything contrary to God’s word.
viii. Meekness (Galatians 5:23; Psalm 25:9; Titus 3:1, 2). This is the
supernatural disposition to be gentle, submissive, plain, flexible but firm in
relating with others. The meek Christian is submissive to God’s word.
Meekness in the life of a believer makes God to guide and teach him His
ways (Psalm 25:9).
 ix. Temperance (Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:5-10; Proverbs 23:1-3,5,6,17;
25:16; Titus 2:2; Philippians 4:5

3. Restitution (Acts 24:16; Genesis 20:1-18; Exodus 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:2-5;

Deuteronomy 22:1-3; Ezekiel 33:14, 15; Matthew 5:23, 24; Luke 19:8; Proverbs
6:31; Numbers 5:5-8). The desire and decision to make right all wrongs done in
the past by restoring back where we have defrauded, paying back just debts or
apologizing to people we have offended by action and words results from a
genuine conversion experience.