John MacArthur wrote, "There can be no repentance or faith until the heart has been re-created. But in the moment of regeneration the Holy Spirit imparts the gift of repentant faith to sinners, bringing them to saving faith in Christ, and enabling them to turn away from sin. The result is a dramatic conversion."
The Holy Spirit enables conversion to Christ. You are converted through "the gift of repentant faith to sinners." Conversion includes both repentance and saving faith. Repentance means you turn to God by saving faith in Christ.
The Holy Spirit transforms your heart, which is your mind, will and emotions. The result is conversion, turning you away from the old life to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Conversion means you are free from the old life of bondage to sin, through the power of God in Christ.
The Spirit of God works through the word of God before your conversion (1 Peter 1:23) MacArthur stated, "The result is a dramatic conversion." Conversion is by the word of God and the Spirit of God. The gospel of Christ comes to us through the power of the Holy Spirit, with much assurance (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Conversion to Christ is the result of God's workmanship. He makes you a new creation in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
