You come to me in: (vehicles of grace)
Creation, Word, Other Person, my thoughts, Spirit, & Church
Conversion is the Spirit’s work that begins with convincing the conscience of sin and leading to grace-filled surrender.
I can accept or reject the conviction of my sinful state by the conviction of any of these witnesses.
Repentance is the agreement of my sinful state, the choice to turn to you for the help that changes me, the surrender to the guidance of what needs to be done to be changed. (Agree then work out In obedience)
I can reject outright the truth of my sinful state. Turn away and not live with you. (Hell)
If I agree to the conviction of my sinful state, I am given grace to believe and faith to know I need to change. (As a child-Dependent on God for my transformation) - I can still reject your work in me (obedience) knowing I need to change. (Can lead to hell)
If I agree I need to change and agree to let you change me, I am given grace to believe and faith to surrender to your work in me - obedience. (My fiat, cooperation with grace) - I receive what I know only you can do. (Salvation is knowing and living with you as you sanctify me day by day)
At any point I can stop agreeing to my sinful state and turn away and not live with you nor surrendered to you. (Can lead to hell)
Day by day I have sins I am trying to combat because my soul will always have sin until I am home. The goal is to live in communion one day at a time listening for the conviction and guidance to work out in obedience, in joy knowing I am on my way with You and to You.
Stop looking at and evaluating others. Instead trust no one but God and pray for us all to accept conviction and surrender to grace faith and obedience. Anger at others for their sin is a big test and temptation. The remedy is knowing I am a sinner and pray for us all!
Lord Jesus, Son of God, send Your Holy Spirit to convince my conscience of the truth about my sin. Give me contrition—a decisive turning away from what separates me from You. Grant me the grace to accept Your work in me and the courage to cooperate in obedience each day. Purify my heart of anger toward others; make me quick to forgive and ready to pray. Lead me in sanctification until I am fully with You. Amen.
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