Being raised in a Christian home is not without challenges. It can be testing to know when conversion took place. Esteem for those from a profligate lifestyle ranks high. As they speak of a powerful change, it can arouse spiritual envy, appearing to be a superior path to faith.
Dramatic conversions show fulsome joy, peace and transformation. Do we long for the same rebirth experience? Is a life deep in sin preferred to a quiet conversion? Is an understanding of our desperate need essential to receiving “the Spirit of Sonship” (Romans 8:15, RSV)? Does a clear spirit of bondage precede the spirit of freedom, of sonship and assurance?
Raised in an environment of law keeping, Paul was unaware of his great need. Pride and zeal were hallmarks of his religious life. “But sin seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. . . . But when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died” (Romans 7:8,9, NIV).
Saul was deeply religious, a Pharisee of Pharisees. But now Jesus challenged and changed his life. Is Saul’s conversion the norm for all? Zealous for the Jewish faith, he was converted on the road. Conversion follows the conviction of sin. Moving forward we are led by the Spirit. We become the children of God, “and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:15-17, NRSV). This is remarkable assurance. Praise God we are not fostered; we are adopted. We become children; adopted, not by some back-room transaction, by the fiddling of God’s law, but legally and justly. Full payment is made for our sin on the cross.
Before redemption, there must be conviction of sin. Being raised in a godly family or church does not attest to rebirth. To a degree, varying from person to person, there must be conviction of our guilt. When and how this happens in a Christian family varies, but without it we cannot be the children of God. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, “and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17, NRSV, emphasis added).
Scripture urges us to examine ourselves “to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NRSV). The degree of bondage and conviction is diverse and personal. Conviction comes first to all followers of Jesus. If you fear, be encouraged. People outside faith seldom fear being lost. Only those under the tutelage of the Spirit will know this concern. All children of God sense their need. It is a growing reality. Drawing nearer to Christ, we see our multiple imperfections. God is Light, He is holy and we will increasingly see our need for Him.
When Isaiah in chapter 6 approaches God’s throne, he declares, “Woe is me”. Luke 7:36-48 tells the story of Mary who anointed Jesus with costly perfume. Simon was bothered that such a sinner’s gift would be received by Jesus. A story is told of two debtors, one owing a little, the other much. Jesus asked Simon which debtor loved more. The Pharisee answered correctly, the one who was forgiven much. Everyone approaching God has a deepening sense of sin. If you feel concerned about your fitness for heaven, that concern could be evidence of your proximity to the purity and light of God. It is suggesting that your relationship is more than intellectual assent. No-one is saved by “easy believism”. Saying we believe is not conclusive evidence of redemption. The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin (John 16:8-11). The Philippian jailer in Acts 16:25-40 was not simply fearful of earthquakes. He was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. “Men and brethren, what must I do?” At Pentecost, thousands felt conviction through Peter’s preaching. The Holy Spirit was present in power and thousands were convicted. If we never know the Spirit’s chiding, we may not be living in God’s sonship.
Someone may ask are we not counselled to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12, RSV). 2 Corinthians 5:11 (KJV) speaks of “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord.” Yet in the full context of Scripture, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV).
Freedom from fear is most precious in the judgement, for Jesus is our judge. “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31, RSV, emphasis added).
“Judgement according to works does not mean salvation on the basis of works or law observance. The children of God have confident hope of final salvation” (Hans La Rondelle, Assurance of Salvation, p99). “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God” (Romans 5:8,9, NRSV, added emphasis). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, then by the Spirit we become the sons of God, (Romans 8:15, NRSV). There is no fear with Jesus as our judge, He is a Friend and Saviour. Our conviction of sin leads us into the arms of Jesus. We are entirely secure. Judgement does not separate us from the love of Christ—nothing can (Romans 8:33-35). “There is therefore now (and in the judgement) no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1, NRSV, comment added). La Rondelle writes “The grace of God reigns not only now but also in the last judgement” (ibid p99).
Our salvation does not depend on good works. It does not rest on what we are, on our successes and victories in this life. It is based wholly on Jesus. David Seamands in his book Healing Grace writes about an imperial funeral. The House of Hapsburgs had ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire since 1273. The Hapsburgs are buried in the family crypt in the basement of the Capuchin Monastery of Vienna. On the day of Emperor Franz Joseph I’s funeral in 1916, the entire court assembled in full white dress, their hats covered with ostrich plumes. A military band played sombre dirges and an anthem by Haydn. The cortege wound its way down stairs illuminated by flaming torches, bearing the coffin draped in the imperial colours of black and gold. Finally, it reached the great iron doors of the crypt, behind which stood the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna, along with his entourage of high church officials. The officer in charge—the Court Marshall—approached the closed door and pounded on it with the hilt of his ceremonial sword. It was a ceremony prescribed from time immemorial.
“Open!” he commanded.
“Who goes there?” intoned the Cardinal.
“We bear the remains of His Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Bohemia Moravia, Grand Duke of Lombardy, Venezia, Styria . . .” All the way through the 37 titles of the emperor.
“We know him not,” replied the Cardinal, from behind the door. “Who goes there?”
“We bear the remains of the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary”—an abbreviated form, allowed only in dire emergencies. It was not enough.
“We know him not,” came the Cardinal’s reply again. “Who goes there?”
“We bear the body of Franz Joseph, our brother, a sinner like us all”.
The massive doors swung slowly open and Franz Joseph I was received.
As we stand before heaven’s gate with no righteousness of our own, devoid of any decency, nothing of self to offer; will we be enough? We can never be good enough. But Jesus is enough! We are covered with something beyond priceless. It is the ceaseless grace and mercy of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is more than enough. Oh yes! His perfection and righteousness are so, so, much more than enough.
Peter Cousins is a retired pastor and family ministries director, who lives with his wife Meredith in the Wyee Lifestyle Village. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
