Be converted

A few days ago, I was chatting with a family member that is currently residing in Ukraine.  Our conversation was obviously much about what is currently happening in their part of the globe.  Although their specific region hasn’t yet been directly affected, she claimed that they have experienced a major disruption to all previously established norms and set affairs. 

 
They have been collectively gathering for service daily, up to twice a day.  Church buildings are packed with people who have never gone before.  “We are praying for peace and an end to war!” Also, the holy spirit, through the gift of the prophetic has been repeatedly revealing that “Your prayers are heard, but the Lord is waiting for repentance”, she reports.   

That prophetic message did not take me by surprise.  There is no question that this war has put the entire globe on their feet.  Every confessing church has urged their congregations to pray for Ukraine.  And in no means am I here to dispute the urgency thereof, prayer is definitely good.  Prayer is a means of communicating with God, and I know he delights when we take time to communicate with him. Though I also don’t think world events take God by surprise and that he needs not to be constantly reminded of them.  

Through-out the pages of scripture the best active response that moved the heart of God, for all people, was repentance. 

 
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10 NIV)
 
Repentance means turning from a life dominated by the sinful nature to a life dominated by our God given spiritual nature.  I like how one online source had indicated that it was more than just feeling remorse about your sin, but the initiation of reformation.  In Acts 3:19 the word repent is immediately followed with and be converted.  
 
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out… (Acts 3:19 KJV)
 
Conversion is the process of changing the makeup of the heart by continually renewing the mind with the word.  It changes us from the inside as we become increasingly exposed to it, formulating the heart into the exact likeness of Christ.  
 

The law of the lord is perfect, converting the soul:…(Ps19:7 KJV)

Peter was a close follower of Jesus.  He was continually exposed to the word, which was molding him increasingly into the likeness of his master.  Just prior to Jesus’ crucifixion he speaks the following words to Peter  
 

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:32 KJV)
 
Peter has been with Jesus for almost the entire duration of his ministry, and he was still undergoing the conversion process.  Jesus was implying that Peter would indeed complete the conversion, which would then prepare him to begin his ministry and fulfill the calling on his life.  
 
 
Supporting Texts
 
…to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  (Ro. 8:29 NIV)

I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… (Ez. 36:25-27 BSB)