Why is a Biblical Understanding of Conversion Important for Local Church Health?
Conversion Confusion
Confusion over conversion hurts the health of the local church because members are easily discouraged or even deceived without an accurate view of their own spiritual state.
- Some in the church think they are not converted, but really are. This doubt often begins because conversion is wrongly understood as total eradication of indwelling sin. Such confusion breeds discouragement that stunts godly confidence in Christ's finished work.
- Others in the church think they are converted, but really are not. This false confidence often begins with poor teaching that encourages assurance of salvation without seeing spiritual fruit. Reception of poor teaching leads to deception regarding one's conversion.
- Either way, the corporate health of the church is hurt. Doubting discouragement and false confidence simply are not marks of local church health - and both can spread like gangrene.
