What Does TRUE CONVERSION Look Like? | Evidence of True Conversion Seen in Ruth

Perhaps the church growth movement has in some ways helped the church. Maybe it has helped churches wake up from their somewhat lengthy slumber. Maybe it has encouraged otherwise lazy pastors and church leaders to get up and do something for the Kingdom of God because it was evident that others were. But there have been some not-so-good effects of the church growth movement. One of the most damaging things that this movement has done is streamline the gospel to the point of losing vital content. Coupled with predominately man-centered theology the church growth movement has altered the gospel message in some important ways. The gospel was oversimplified. The gospel was psychologized. The gospel was popularized, that is, explained in predominately positive terms. What does true conversion look like? Can we see evidence of a genuine conversion in Ruth? I believe we can. Some important lessons may be witnessed from the account of Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth concerning this matter. Naomi is a great picture of a flawed, yet faithful, witness. While Orpah is a clear picture of half-hearted commitment. While Ruth demonstrates genuine repentance and faith resulting in a true conversion.