Conversion and Conviction Stories

In our reflections yesterday, we noted that we’re focusing on conversion and conviction stories. Remember, conviction comes with the dawning awareness that there’s no God like YHWH. Conversion refers to an almost sudden transformation that results from a shift in the gap between us and God. Although Isaiah’s story is more about conviction, one might argue that that experience when King Uzziah died was also a conversion experience. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.

Isaiah 6:5, 7 NIV

[5] “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

[7] With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Sins Forgiven

Yesterday’s reflection underscored the need for us to see God. This is key for our relationship to flourish. If not, the very first challenge we face may cost us our faith in Christ. Jesus alluded to that in His parable on the sower (see Matthew 13; Mark 4; and Luke . What we note is that Isaiah’s encounter afforded him to truly see himself as he beheld God in God’s glory. In that moment, something shifted in the spiritual atmosphere: Isaiah was led to an acute awareness of his sin nature. His exclamation may have been involuntary, but it rang with the truth of his newfound conviction.

Self-Check

As we revisit our own story, can we recall our God experience leading to conviction of sin? And did conviction remind us to confess our sin?

Application

When we’re convicted of our sin, it is not uncommon to be moved to confession. What is really interesting about Isaiah’s confession is that he saw that his choice of companions affected his God relationship. This is something we must guard against. Not that we completely dissociate with our friends, but genuine repentance invites moving away from the slightest sign of sin.

Perhaps it’s time for us to assess the quality of our relationships. As we think about our sins, we need also to repent of moments where we led others into sin.

When we identify our complicity in going against God’s glory, it is time to confess our sins.

It may seem unnecessary, but when we recall that God abhors sin, we may see the necessity for compliance.

We also note that Isaiah’s confession saw an immediate pardon coming from God. The angels touched his lips with a live coal, a symbol of his forgiveness (cleansing) and consecration. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9)

Point to Ponder

In seeing God, we see ourselves. And unless we’re in Christ, we might carry less of a resemblance to God’s image. Confessing our sins before God increases our resemblance to God, and it guarantees forgiveness. How shall we respond?

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May all we seek be found in Christ