Conversion

“Truly I say to you, that unless you change and become like children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

In the religious worlds much energy is put into conversion – becoming Jew or Christian, or “converting” from one sect or denomination into another. Many are baptized, re-baptized and dedicated, re-dedicated and consecrated and initiated and given all manner of recognition by various peer groups as they jump through the “religious hoops” of whatever religion they have chosen. Unfortunately, many souls don’t seem to realize that there is only one conversion that will ever matter when it comes to eternity, and that is to be converted from the carnal man into the spiritual man according to trusting in Y’hoshua Mashiyach.

Throughout Scripture the burden of change is upon Israel, not upon Heaven. In Matthew 18:3 Y’hoshua instructs us to change and become like children – teachable, forgiving and trusting. The inner man must change from his personal carnal agendas and be transformed into the “likeness of Elohim,” which is a virtual impossibility unless a person has a spiritual relationship with Mashiyach. As in every healthy relationship both parties have unique qualities, experiences, gifts and abilities that they bring into a relationship and so it is that each one of us presents ourdelves to Mashiyach in a very unique way.

We are made in the “Image of Elohim” which means that there is a portion of the Master inside each one of us, and it is this “point of contact” that allows us to know we have changed and converted and passed from death to life in Mashiyach. It is, however, a fatal error to judge one’s conversion on the merits of someone else’s experiences or doctrine’s. Paul explains: “For we dare not value or compare ourselves with those who vaunt: but they, because they compare themselves with themselves are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12)

Perhaps you’ve noticed that your own soul doesn’t cope well with religious formulas for “conversion” and, of course, this is because you were not created to fit into a man-made mould. If we were to remove all the external factors of conversion, we would be left only with a conversion into Perfection. The spiritual man is made in the Likeness of Elohim which is Mashiyach, and in this regard each person is called to be a Mashiyach. Therefore, that Perfection we all look for in conversion is already planted within us, but we must first take hold of it and then walk in it.

Change is good, but Perfection is better because we are each created by YHWH according to His Perfection. He will lead and guide. As Yochanan stated, “And you also, if the anointing which you have received from him remains in you, you need not that any one should teach you; but as that anointing is from Elohim, it teaches you all things; and it is true, and no falsehood is in it. And as it has taught you, remain you in Him” (1 John 2:27). In other words you are free in Mashiyach and don’t need any “religious baggage,” but not free to transgress against your own anointing that sustains your spirit being. Yochanan said: “And now, my children, remain you in him; that so, when he will be manifested, we may not be ashamed before Him, but may have an open countenance at His coming. If you know that he is righteous, you also know that whoever does righteousness is from Him” (1 John 2:28-29).