A Preacher’s Conversion

Matthew 18:3 – “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.”

A man once asked his rather liberal pastor to preach on the text, “Except ye be converted…ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The preacher readily consented. He thought, how will I divide the sermon into various points? He finally decided on the following outline: What? How? When? Where?

He started to develop the first point. Conversion – What? “Well,” he said to himself, “conversion must be the turning of the heart to God.” And so he elaborated on that point. Then he came to conversion – How? A little perplexed, he thought, “How was I converted?” Truthfully, he didn’t know. He came to the next point: Conversion – When? One may be converted as a child, as a youth, or may be saved as an adult. Then the thought came,” Was I saved when I was a youth? No, I’m sure I was not, for I was far away from God and out in the world. Was I converted when I came to more mature years? I really do not recall having that experience.” Suddenly the Holy Spirit drove home the shaft of conviction with tremendous power. “Here I am preaching to other people,” he said, “and I don’t know when, where or how I myself was brought to the Lord. In fact, I guess I’ve never been converted at all!”

The young pastor got down on his knees, and told the Lord Jesus that he would trust him right there and now to save him from his sins. He then asked the Lord to come into his heart and save him from his sins. He became a born-again child of God. That was the beginning of a new life for him and the start of a revitalized ministry!

Dear friend, have you had a definite salvation experience? Remember, “…Except ye be converted” (Matt. 18:3) “…ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3).