To many, the Christian conversion means coming forward in a church service or evangelistic meeting and praying the prayer of Salvation; but is that all there is to be a Christian? Is that all that is needed to become a Christian?

The word Convert means: An event that results in a transformation; A spiritual enlightenment causing a person to lead a new life; A change of religion; The act of changing from one use or function or purpose to another. The word "converted" appears three times in the New American Standard Version of the Scripture. The first is in Psalm 51:13, where David says, "Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will be converted to Thee."

The second is Matthew 18:3, where Jesus says, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Finally, in John 12:40 where John quotes
Isaiah, saying, "He has blinded their eyes, and He hardened their heart; lest they see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them."

The Greek word in these passages translated "converted" is STREPHO and it means "to turn."

With this information I want to now ask, "What difference should conversion make in a person’s life and should there be a difference in how we live now to how we lived prior to this conversion?"

To become a Christian first involves the acknowledgement of Christ’s deity: Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Secondly it involves a decision to turn from one’s sins: It is a misconception to think that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change not only in our belief but it is also a change in our behaviour. Conversion is an ongoing process of change where the Christian converts through daily application of God’s Word, becomes more and more like Christ in manner, thought, word and deed.

To be truly converted means to have an ongoing transformation in every area of our lives. A true convert is not someone who just attends church on a Sunday through religious rituals but is someone whose entire life embraces being changed to live in accordance to God’s Holy Word.