Charles G. Finney · 75 of 95

II. What is conversion?

What is it to “convert the sinner from the error of his ways?”

This error lies in his having a wrong object of life—his own present worldly interests. Hence to convert him from the error of his ways is to turn him from this course to a benevolent consecration of himself to God and to human well-being. This is precisely what is meant by conversion. It is changing the great moral end of action. It supplants selfishness and substitutes benevolence in its stead.