88. Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion? A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming-to-life of the new.89. Q. What is the dying-away of the old self? A. It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.
90. Q. What is the coming-to-life of the new self? A. It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.
91. Q. What do we do that is good? A. Only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God's law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.
My reflections on the reading from the book...
DeYoung makes the powerful statement: "Christianity is not about refurbishing a few morals here, or helping you find your own unique spiritual journey there, or simply trying to get you to agree to a few theological statements. We need to be converted."
Conversion is often misunderstood by the unsaved. They view it pretty much like New Year's Resolutions, which are easily given up or forgotten when reality sinks in or the going gets tough. But conversion is not just a "new way of living;" as DeYoung reminds us, it is "a new way of thinking and feeling... When the Spirit of God brings us to life in Christ, He operates on the mind, the will, and the affections."
The chapter's closing thought: "Truly good deeds are done in God's strength through faith in Christ, conform to God's revealed will, and aim to make much of God and not us or the ones we serve. The Word of God must be our standard of goodness, not nice thoughts, nor pleasant smiles, nor the usefulness of charity."
As the new school year is upon me, it is my prayer that my life would not be one that merely demonstrates "moralism" to my students, but that my life would evidence Spirit-given awareness of sin, interest in the Word of God, passion for holiness, desire for prayer, and a heightened sense of the majesty of God.
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