Moment of Meditation: Converted (Psalm 51:13)

Original Broadcast: February 2009

Monthly Theme: Holy Spirit (Apostles' Creed)

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
(Psalm 51:13)

Converted

A key word in the work of the Holy Spirit is "conversion". But we don't typically talk about it today in the same sense that the Bible teaches it. Today, we generally talk about conversion in relation to marriage. Two people get married, one is Lutheran the other Catholic. Many times one "converts" to the other. But that's not what the Holy Spirit talks about when He discusses His role in conversion. The Holy Spirit's work of conversion isn't a lateral move from one denomination to another like converting miles to kilometers. It's a complete transformation from one thing into something completely different.

It is the transformation of a sinner into a saint as King David talks about in our theme verse this morning. David rejoices in the fact that He has received forgiveness of his sins with Bathsheba. In the aftermath, he promises to teach others who are straying from the Lord's commands so that they might turn and be converted into saints walking along the path of the Lord.

This conversion only takes place through the Holy Spirit and His work through the Gospel. As only God in the flesh could make an atoning sacrifice that cleansed every sin, so also only God can convert the heart and soul of the sinner. That change is the greatest of pleasures in Heaven as Jesus said, "There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). May we think likewise. Amen.