Conversion: A Way of Life
This week we read Acts 16-21. Each of the chapters describes the conversion of many individuals to Christianity. The manner of these conversions varied greatly from miracles to reasoning to fear. While many were converted enough to be baptized, it is not clear how many remained converted. We know that Paul wrote many letters to the saints in the various cities where he had labored to shore up the testimony of the new converts. It is reasonable to assume that many returned to their former beliefs and ways of life while others continued in the faith.
True conversion, if there is such a thing, requires constant effort, not only to do certain things and avoid others but to keep the fire of faith burning bright. When people experience some traumatic event that they are miraculously rescued from, they tend to evaluate why they were spared and turn to God. From my experience with those people, I have observed that when life returns to normal, so does their enthusiasm for God. This condition makes me wonder about the jailer that came to Jesus or the young man who fell, died, and was raised again. Since their stories made it into the scripture, they probably remained steadfast, but who knows?
Then there are those who are swayed by reasoning. Could further reasoning and argument convince them back to their former beliefs? I think so. Still, others go along with the crowd. That is how many young people get into church because friends are so vital to them.
None of these scenarios are bad or good, and they accomplish the desired outcome for the missionaries. But the initial conversion, in some ways, is the easy part. Staying converted is hard.
The one thing I have left out so far is the power of spiritual conversion. All other ways a person may be converted can be and should be, accompanied by the influence of the Holy Ghost. I believe that things that change a person’s spirit are the only way anyone remains faithful and committed to God.
As a young missionary, I saw people embrace the gospel in many different ways. I did not possess the intellect to reason or argue someone into the waters of baptism, and I detested the techniques of selling someone a conversion. Despite my inexperience, I had a few miracles that convinced a few to join with the saints. But it was only the spirit-to-spirit communication that was truly effective. Sadly, I have not kept in touch with any of the people I helped come to Christ. Again, I was too lazy or immature to maintain a meaningful relationship with them. I wish I were more like Paul in that regard.
So what keeps me converted? My stubborn nature and the teaching and example of loving parents showed me that remaining faithful is worth the effort. It could also be that keeping the commandments and covenants I made makes life easier than not. My mother said that keeping the commandments makes life less complicated. I believe that, and since I am sort of lazy, I keep it simple, and life is good.
When Paul was converted, Jesus told him it was hard to kick against the pricks. Maybe Paul chose an easier way of life like me. Of course, Paul was stoned, beaten up, imprisoned, and despised by others, but what would his life be like if he wasn’t converted? Would he have remained a bitter person who reveled in the misery of others? I can’t imagine that kind of life having any meaning. I can imagine him spiraling downward until there was nothing left of himself. The Lord chose Paul because he could be converted and never give up.
So, what about us? Will we make conversion our way of life? Living a faithful life does not come naturally to most people. Some people want to relax at some point, but I don’t think you can afford it. Adam and Eve were told, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” While that verse talks about the bread that would feed their bodies and keep them alive, are we not in need of the bread of life that Jesus offers us? Do we not have to make an effort equally as strenuous until the day we pass from mortality? It would be foolish to think otherwise.
I have been discussing conversion or changing from one set of beliefs to another, but I have not discussed why we should do it. Structures of thought give us a basis or foundation upon which we act. Our actions, in turn, create a framework of existence that either make us happy and fulfilled or leave us searching and empty. What we believe matters because that is eventually what we become. We must believe in the Holy God if we are true to our divine nature. But there are many gods; some are false, worldly, temporal, or fleeting. There is only one true or eternal God. To access the mysteries of the highest God, we follow Jesus Christ.
However, we are in a fallen state, meaning our human proclivities do not align with the path Jesus sets for us. Each day we live is a step on a journey that we don’t have the luxury of stopping. Each moment of our lives is essential, and we must make the most of the time we are given. Doing the works of the Savior makes the most of that time for ourselves and others. So being converted to a godly way of life is what we must seek. It is vital that we guard against complacency and idleness. We don’t have time to go after false gods.
Paul and the early apostles tirelessly proclaimed Jesus Christ not to win converts to any worldly institution or for power and glory but to help their fellow beings, whether Jew or Gentile, make the most of their mortal experience and to prepare them for eternity. Likewise, we must be converted and remain that way.