The effects of the Spirit's work in conversion will always be seen.
Those effects may be weak and feeble at first.
But there where there is true conversion, some fruit will always be seen.
Where no effect can be seen there you may be sure is no grace.
Where no visible fruit can be found there you may be sure is no true conversion.
Does anyone ask me what we may expect to see in a true conversion?
I reply: There will always be something seen in a converted man's character,
and feelings,
and conduct,
and opinions,
and daily life.
You will not see perfection in him, but you will see in him something peculiar, distinct, and different from other people.
You will see him hating sin,
loving Christ,
following after holiness,
taking pleasure in his Bible,
persevering in prayer.
You will see him penitent,
humble,
believing,
temperate,
charitable,
truthful,
good-tempered,
patient,
upright,
honorable,
kind.
These, at any rate, will be his aims, these are the things which he will follow after, however short he may come of perfection.
In some converted people you will see these things more distinctly, in others less. This only I say, wherever there is conversion, something of this kind will be seen. True conversion is a thing that can always be seen.
Never, never, will I allow that the blessed Spirit can be in a man's heart when no fruit of the Spirit can be seen in his life!
A conversion which allows a man to live in sin, to lie, and drink, and swear is not the conversion of the Bible. It is a counterfeit conversion, which can only please the devil, and will lead the man who is satisfied with it not to Heaven, but to Hell!
[J.C. Ryle]
2 Corinthians 5:17 ... Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 12:2 ... And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Titus 2:14 ... Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ❤
