Real Conversion

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Peter made a statement about real conversion that is profound, and often overlooked. “Repent, and be converted,” He said, “that your sins may be wiped away.” He was speaking at that moment to the very people who had helped crucify Christ, but the same truth is appropriate to anyone who has denied Christ.

The idea, in its context, is to repent of your rejection of Christ, which is why it is relevant to us. But, he didn’t stop with repentance only. He continued, “Be converted,” which is another way of saying, “repent,” It means to turn from, turn away, or renounce. He wasn’t looking for people to merely to confess their past mistakes and sins, he urged them to change; to turn from their sin, renouncing them, and to turn to the Lord. 

Almost anyone will admit they have done many wrong or bad, things — sins. But it’s something different altogether to turn from them, forsake and renounce them, and to turn one’s affection to God. Peter didn’t just insist on an apology or confession, he wanted a real conversion, one which is demonstrated in a change of direction and action.

To those who come to Christ that way, Peter said, “your sins are wiped away, blotted out.”  

Oh, and please don’t miss Peter’s final statement. It’s like the commercial that says, “But wait, there’s more!” When you turn from your sins and turn toward God, when your sins have all been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, then, and only then, “times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.”

Therefore repent and be converted, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3.19