The Dearth of Conversions

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

 

When a physician takes charge of a patient, the first thing he seeks to know is the nature and extent of the evil he must deal with. That is why he spends so much time and thought on the careful observation of the symptoms. The success of the treatment depends entirely on the accuracy of the diagnosis.

 

Even so, in dealing with the great question of the lack of conversions in the church of Christ, it is not enough that we acknowledge the truth of what is said, or actively set out to specify what we think is the best way to bring about a change. If the church is to fully realize what is wrong with her condition, and if it is to find the path in which God alone can lead her out of it, then believers and ministers must be brought low before the Lord and seek Him, the Great Physician, to reveal and remove the sin and restore that conversion power that comes from Him alone.

 

Let us, then, in the spirit of humbling ourselves before God, and in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, ask God to show us what the allegation implies – that the church of Christ is losing the power of conversion, of bringing sinners to the Savior.

 

List of Chapters

1.     The Evil

2.     What the Evil Means

3.     The Cause

4.     The Cure

 

About the Author

Andrew Murray (1828-1917) was a well-known South African writer, teacher, and pastor. More than two million copies of his books have been sold, and his name is mentioned among other great leaders of the past, such as Charles Spurgeon, T. Austin-Sparks, George Muller, D. L. Moody, and more.