And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 18:3.

The most common Biblical expression of salvation is the subjective changes in people’s life when by faith they have received the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The term implies deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.First, the Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin. Secondly, the Christian has been saved from the habits and dominion of sin in this life. Finally, when the Lord returns, the Christian will be saved from all physical results of sin and of God’s curse on the world. This is what the Lord gives us when we receive His salvation, but in order to receive the benefits, we have a part to play; we have to be converted which means a turning of one’s whole life and person to God. It is more than acknowledging of the truth or intellectual knowledge.  Many know of God but don’t know Him, many have knowledge of some Scriptures but don’t have the knowledge of what the Scripture means. Then it’s those who base their faith on their morals rather than what Jesus has accomplished and the instructions of God’s written Word for the believer.

Peter, the Apostle walked, lived and was trained by our Savior but prior to Jesus’ death, He instructed Peter once he’s converted to strengthen his brother (And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren – Luke 22:31-32). The Greek word for “you”  is plural, indicating that Satan had asked permission to trouble all of the disciples. The Greek word for “you” in his passage is singular, referring specifically to Peter. Peter loved Jesus but not to the point he was willing to be persecuted or die for his belief in Jesus as being the Son of God and one of His followers. Persecution comes with Christianity as well as trials and tribulations (Confirming [strengthening] the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God – Acts 14:22). Tribulation comes with Christianity there is no way around it but if we endure, not only will we be blessed in the hereafter, but God will bless us on earth for our faithfulness.

Converted is living both in the natural realm and the spiritual realm. We have dual citizenship when we have been born of the Spirit of God (Jesus answered Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God – John 3:5). When we become born-again, God does a supernatural work in our heart. We know longer have the same heart that influences us to do evil (For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies – Matthew 15:19). When we really have been born of God’s Spirit, we become a new creation (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation] old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2nd Corinthians 5:17). When a person comes in a vital union with the Lord, he or she is a new creation and perceives Jesus Christ in a new way. He or she breaks away from their sinful nature at the moment of salvation.

True salvation brings about conversion the converted one no longer have the desires and craving for the actions of the world but searches the Word of God and willingly submit themselves to the Word of God (Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world – 1st John 2:15-16). This is why it is so important for Christians to have a consistent prayer life, taking the time to read and study the Bible, fasting to make their human nature come subject to their spiritual nature which is the character and behavior of our Lord and Savior.

If we continue to live according to the actions we were committing before receiving salvation then we’re living as carnal Christians (Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates – 2nd Corinthians 13:5). We examine ourselves by the Word of God, what the Word instruct us to do, we do, and what the Word instruct us not to do, we don’t do. In order to commit ourselves to the Word of God, we must be converted in our hearts, then will we willingly submit ourselves to God and His Word.

So many times people receive salvation through their emotions and not by faith. When salvation is received by emotions, the person continue to live according to their actions prior to receiving salvation. They pick and choose which Scriptures they will adhere to. The only time they pray is when they are in trouble or they are in need or want something. The Bible is only read when they attend church and they’re asked to stand for Scripture reading. Emotional salvation will not save us from the wrath of God nor will it assist us to enter into eternal life to be with Jesus.

Emotional salvation will cause one to worship and serve entertainers, actors and themselves. They can give the lyrics to songs, but can’t quote a Scripture; they will stand in line for hours to see an entertainer or actor and will complain if church service last longer than forty-five minutes. They can attend a secular concert, jump and shot, wave their hands, and will not move a finger when attending praise and worship at church.

God loves them just as much as those that have been converted, but they will not have eternal life with Him (He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar. and the truth is not in him – 1st John 2:4). We must become Christ-like if we want to enter heaven. It does not mean we will not make mistakes or commit a sin, but we don’t practice sin like so many professing Christians.  God loves every one, but He does not love sin, and if we continue to practice sin, the wages of sin is death both physically and spiritually.  Yes, we all will die one day, but when we die and have committed our lives to Him, we have eternal life with Him, but if we live our lives as carnal Christians, we have eternal life in hell.

Bible prophecy is being fulfilled, except Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Jesus is on His way back to take His bride which is the body of Christ, you don’t want to be left here when the body of Christ will meet Jesus. Those that will be left behind will go through the Tribulation period and many will not except salvation, but will be cast into outer darkness, darkness you can feel, darkness where the Spirit of God will not be felt or accessed.

Don’t play church, don’t serve and worship the gods of this world. Be converted, give yourself to God totally, learn how to serve Him by reading and stuyding His Word and commit yourself to Him and His Word.