The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The correct word

I suppose there are various ways to describe conversion which are correct. The issue is often taking one aspect of conversion and making it the whole. In the matter as described above, I would judge that you two are both correct. Your friend is correct in saying that conversion is the "natural outgrowth of regeneration" which I typically describe as the immediate expression/fruit of regeneration. And you are no less correct in saying that the regenerated man is "compelled" in conversion, which I likewise and emphasize when discussing the matter. Why? Because "compel" describes the radical nature of what happens in regeneration. The person who once hated God, hated good, and all things which pertained to righteousness is given a new nature which loves God, loves good, and yearns to be holy. This radical transformation "compels" the person to confess their sinfulness, guilt and worthiness of condemnation, flee and embrace the Lord Christ in faith, and plead to God to be given mercy in Him and remitted of all his sins, being clothed in Christ's perfect righteousness. Scripture also describes this supernatural work in a sinner in several parables, e.g., the Pearl of Great Price, et al. John Gerstner concludes this similarly when he writes: "A person is born again and when he’s born again and when he loves the light, you can’t keep him away from it. When he finds that pearl he’s been seeking for, he’s going to sell everything else and he’s going to get it. You cannot take away the kingdom from a man of violence from a man who is determined to have it." Simply put, the compulsion isn't from without, but rather from within.