For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
The modern mind may find little relevance in this statement. Since we have never worshiped images or fallen down before idols, we may think ourselves not guilty of this sin. However, Paul says in Ephesians 5:5, "For ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." To worship a graven image is idolatry but so is immorality and covetousness. That realization makes this passage highly relevant to persons living in the modern world. One other comment from Hogg and Vine is worthy of note here: "But in no case is God, or Christ, or the Holy Spirit, said to turn, or convert, anyone. Conversion is always the voluntary act of the individual in response to the presentation of truth" (44).