MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION-Part 1

MEANS ARE USED IN CONVERSION
JOHN 3;14-21

Preachers are used as instruments in converting people, but not, in regenerating them.

In 3 New Testament passages, where we read of converting of someone to God, the subject of the verb is not God, but a preacher-

Luke 1;16-''And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.''

Acts 26;17-18-''Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. 18 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.''

James 5;19-20-''Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 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.''

The Conversion of men, is to be the objective of ministers and churches, but we can't be the instruments of conversion in people, where there has been no work of God in Regeneration.
Therefore, our 1st plea is for the power of God in Regeneration, and then, for men to repent and to believe-

To be Reconciled To God-
2 Corinthians 5;19-20-''To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.''

To Receive Reconciliation-
Romans 5;10-11-''For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.''

Now, I want, to emphasize the fact, that external preaching of The Word alone, doesn't effect
Conversion, that is of God.

The Conviction, that is of God, is the fruit of Regeneration-
John 16;8-11-''
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 0f righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, ause the prince of this world is judged.''

Now, pretended believers may have their natural faculties illuminated to the extent, that, The
Seed of The Word brings some visible growth, but they are rocky and thorny-grounded hearers [Matthew 13].

Any conviction that comes from the mere preaching of truth, is no more than a moral suasion.

Apart from the work of God the Holy Spirit, in the heart, there will be no lasting effect of external preaching.

The Internal Spirit of Life is required, to apply the external Word.
The Regenerated Person realizes, by The Indwelling Spirit, that this Word comes directly to him,
from God.
It affects and condemns his very being;
thus it causes him to penetrate into, the hidden essence of the Word, and feel the sharp sting which affects Divine Conviction.

Divine Conviction is related to, and is inseparable from Regeneration.
It is produced by The Gospel.

Now, It is not a question of whether God works Regeneration by a creative word, or, a command.
For, He does.
Genesis 1;3-''And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.''
Galatians 1;3-[Turn].
Ezekiel 16;6-''And when I passed by thee, and saw the polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.''

Regeneration takes place, immediately, in the subconsciousness, while the truth of the gospel, addresses itself to, man's consciousness.

You see, The Truth of The Gospel can exercise its persuasive influence, only when man's attention is fixed upon it.
And in order, for man's attention, to be fixed upon The Gospel, there has to be first, a work of grace, in his heart.
And This is The Work of Regeneration. [ we will continue in our next post]