Lessons From A Great Revivalist to Today’s Church
In George Whitefield’s, “Marks of A True Conversion”, he gives a passionate sermon on what it means to truly be converted. He lays out the characteristics inherent in the life of a Believer who is bound for heaven. For his text he uses Matthew 18:3: “Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” He explains that a true Believer has to posses the posture of a child in order to gain entrance into Heaven. Additionally, he pleads with those who are not converted to repent in order to avoid eternal destruction.
Whitefield begins his sermon by pointing out that many people assume that they are bound for heaven. He points out the truth of man’s destiny, that is, “it is appointed for all men once to die, and…that after death comes the judgment.” Most men, he says, hope to go to heaven and believe that they will go to heaven when they die. However, he says that despite that belief, they are headed to hell. The fact is that hoping that one makes it to heaven does not give assurance that man will end up there. He states that some have the mistaken belief that belonging to a Church organization, being baptized, or living a somewhat moral life, etc. will guarantee entrance into heaven. But he reminds us that Jesus Himself said that these men will come to Him on the day of judgment and remind Him of the good things they did while on earth, and He’ll respond, “verily I know you not.” He states that Jesus “knew how desperately wicked and deceitful men’s hearts were; he knew very well how many would go to hell even by the very gates of heaven.” Whitefield states that the key to having eternal life found in Jesus’ admonition: “except…ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” He points out that this admonition was directed to his disciples, stating that although the disciples were with Jesus, they still needed to be “more converted”. He points out that Jesus’ words concerning the requirements to enter heaven was not just to those who experienced his grace, like his disciples, but to those like Nicodemus, who had never had any relationship with the Master, those needing to be “born again.”
Whitefield proceeds in his sermon to use the analogy of an infant and his state of being when he is still an infant and an adult to describe the life of a converted saint. He points out that there is a noticeable difference in both states-infant and adult; a baby looks much different from an adult. Likewise, when a person becomes converted, there must be an evident change in him. He says, “we must be so changed and altered, that those who knew us the other day, when in a state of sin…and are acquainted with us now, must see such an alteration, that they may stand as much amazed at it, as a person at the alteration wrought on any person he has not seen for twenty years from his infancy.” He goes on to debunk the idea by some that an infant is born without sin. He argues that this view is contrary to Scriptures; additionally it’s contrary to the very nature of a child, since he exhibits sinful tendencies from a young age. He said that the effectiveness of parents in raising converted children hinges on this knowledge, that is, that their child has the law of sin working in him. Whitefield states “If parents were convinced of this, I believe they would pray more, when they bring their children to be baptized, and would not make it a mere matter of form.” The reality that a child is born into sin should cause a parent to always be in intercession for their child’s salvation. He states that parents “would always put up that petition, before their children came into the world, which I have heard that a good woman always did put up, ‘Lord Jesus, let me never bear a child for hell or the devil.’”
Whitefield examines what Jesus meant when he asked the disciples “who is the greatest in the Kingdom” and Jesus’ response was to become like a little child, to be converted. He explains that becoming like a little child meant not caring about earthly positions of authority but being “loose to the world…as a little child.” He said that the necessity of being a part of the world does not mean that we seek after the temporary things it offers: “Though we are engaged in it, and are obliged to work for our children...obliged to follow trades…to be serviceable to the commonwealth, yet if we are real Christians, we shall be loose to the world.” He adds that another characteristic of a child is that the child is “sensible of [his] weakness.” He says that a child embraces being led by an adult and so a Believer “will give up the heart…understandings…wills…affections, to be guided by…the Spirit of the Lord.” Children are also “ignorant creatures, so those that are converted, do look upon themselves as ignorant too.” He adds that a deeper revelation of God’s grace causes the Believer to see his “own meanness and vileness, and be less in [his] own eyes.” Additionally, Whitefield says that a child is viewed as non-threatening and “generally speaks true.”
After laying out the traits of a child, Whitefield goes on with “tenderness” and “faithfulness” to preach about conversion. He says, “I feel myself ready to lay down my life, to be instrumental only to save one soul.” He conveys a sense of personal agony over the sinner who is headed for Hell. He gives examples of persons who died unexpectedly and admonishes his listeners to prayer, “O let me know whether I am converted or not!” He adds that if you are converted, “be obedient to God…If God be your father, obey him…grow in grace and in the knowledge of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….Let the language of your heart be, ‘Lord Jesus help me to grow, help me to learn more, learn me to live so as my progress may be known to all!’” He admonishes those Believers to go to God the Father with all their trouble and promises that “The Lord will then speak for you some way or other.” He adds that God will not only help you but as a good Father He will “chasten you now and then.” He adds that God’s love is demonstrated in this act, “he loves his child too well to spare his rod. Whitefield adds that being God’s child also makes one long to be in Heaven. He admonishes “Do not be impatient, God in his own time will fetch you home.”
Lastly, and most importantly, he admonishes God’s children to not act like children who bicker and fight with each other. He says, “O love one another.” He says that because we are all God’s children headed to the same destination we must learn to walk in love towards each other. He said that he is most grieved when there are “differences amongst God’s people. O hasten that time when we shall either go to heaven or never quarrel any more!”
Finally, he addresses those who are not truly converted. He tells them to repent to God, now. “Pray to God, and let the language of thy heart be, Lord convert me! Lord make me a little child, Lord Jesus let me not be banished from thy kingdom!” He said that Christ affirmative promise that those who serve Him shall enter the kingdom of heaven also means that those who do not repent is bound for hell. He says, “May an arrow…dipped in the blood of Christ, reach every unconverted sinner’s heart!” He preaches that no one knows the day of God’s return, “Thou knowest not, O man, what the return of God may be to thee.” He ends by expressing his deep concern for those not yet converted. He travails, “O that my head were waters, O that mine eyes were a fountain of tears, that I might weep over an unconverted, graceless, wicked, and adulterous generation.” He pleads further with them to seriously consider what their fate will be if they go to their graves not having experienced the converting power of Christ. He uses the image of a bride without her wedding dress on. He said that to be unprepared when the Bridegroom comes means that “God will strike you speechless, and ye shall be banished from his presence for ever and ever. He ends by telling them that there is a way to avoid destruction. “Jesus is the way, Jesus is the truth, the Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. It is his Spirit must convert you, come to Christ, and ye shall have it….that we may all meet, never to part again, in his heavenly kingdom; even so Lord Jesus, Amen and Amen.”
Whitefield’s sermon is informative for those who are called to preach the good news of Christ. A number of lessons can be gathered from his sermon.
1. The task of every preacher must be rescuing souls from hell. This was the premise of his sermon. The reality is that man is separated from God and is in need of a salvation. He preached with a passion to see souls brought into the Kingdom. In light of this he:
a. Did not assume that those listening to him had truly been converted. He points out that living a moral life is not a mark of true conversion. I think that many of today’s preachers can fall into the trap of thinking that a regular Sunday attendee is a true convert. But like Whitefield the need to speak to the “religious” the “moral” person about true conversion is necessary.
b. He interrupted the flow of his sermon points and issued an invitation for people to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He asked them to search their hearts and led them in pray, in the middle of his message, for salvation. He said “before I go any further, silently put up one prayer, or say Amen to the prayer I would put in your mouths; ‘Lord, search me and try me, Lord, examine my heart, and let my conscience speak; O let me know whether I am converted or not!’”
2. Do not seek to impress with eloquence of speech. Use plain language that carries the truth of God’s word. He said “I do not want to play the orator, I do not want to be counted a scholar; I want to speak so as I may reach poor people's hearts.
3. See everyone as a child of God. O ye dear souls, though the world sees nothing in you, though there be no outward difference between you and others, yet I look upon you in another light, even as so many kings sons and daughters: all hail! In the name of God, I wish every one of you joy from my soul, ye sons and daughters of the King of kings.