The Convicting Work of the Spirit
This morning we had 14 men gather at 5 AM to study John 16, as we tried to understand the work of the Spirit in convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. I think I can say that we were convicted by the Spirit ourselves as we read God's Word.
The world is all of the people in the world, like in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." The Lord affirmed that once He sent the Spirit, He would lead the people of the world to action in these three areas. That is what convict means, not just to know something, but to know that you need to do something. (Acts 2:37) Therefore, the Spirit is working on everyone about these three things. We can be sure of that. However, people can reject the Spirit's conviction, and each time they do their hearts grow harder and harder. People would believe many times, if the Lord did not call for action, but since He does, they do not wish to change their ways or forsake their personal pet sins.
The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is basically not believing in the Lord Jesus. He convicts us of righteousness, which is how to be right with God and other people. He convicts us of the certainty of judgment that will come. That deters us from listening to our flesh and deciding to sin. Isn't that great to think that God has gone to such lengths to show people what is wrong, what is right, and what is going to happen? Truly we are all without excuse.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 19-20 and John 13:21-38.
The world is all of the people in the world, like in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..." The Lord affirmed that once He sent the Spirit, He would lead the people of the world to action in these three areas. That is what convict means, not just to know something, but to know that you need to do something. (Acts 2:37) Therefore, the Spirit is working on everyone about these three things. We can be sure of that. However, people can reject the Spirit's conviction, and each time they do their hearts grow harder and harder. People would believe many times, if the Lord did not call for action, but since He does, they do not wish to change their ways or forsake their personal pet sins.
The Spirit convicts us of sin, which is basically not believing in the Lord Jesus. He convicts us of righteousness, which is how to be right with God and other people. He convicts us of the certainty of judgment that will come. That deters us from listening to our flesh and deciding to sin. Isn't that great to think that God has gone to such lengths to show people what is wrong, what is right, and what is going to happen? Truly we are all without excuse.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 19-20 and John 13:21-38.