Today’s Reading: John 16:1-11
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“When he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
* * * * *
Here, Jesus has much to say to us about the promised Helper. When he comes, he will do three necessary works that will point people toward faith in him. What are they?
First, he will convict people of their sin. This is the important first step that’s necessary for someone to come to faith. Most people believe they are basically good and occasionally do bad things. The opposite is true. They are basically selfish and occasionally do good things. And they need to realize that the wages of sin is death. The Helper will convict them of this essential truth and their need for a Savior.
Second, he will convict people of their unrighteousness. Perfect obedience to God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments, is God’s standard for salvation. Yet no one can ever achieve it. No one is righteous, not one. All people fall far short of God’s glory. Once this conviction occurs from the Helper, they will realize their need for a Savior.
Third, he will convict people of the reality of the final judgment. This teaching is unpopular. People prefer to believe that life is only about eating, drinking, and being merry—for tomorrow you may die. They think that God is an eternal granddaddy who, after death, will merely wink at them, pat them on the head, and say, “There, there, it’ll all be okay.”
The Helper will contradict this lie. He will convict people that one day they will face their Maker and be held accountable for how they lived. He will remind them that a future, eternal judgment is coming. Jesus will be the Judge of the living and the dead. By revealing this truth, the Helper will show people their need for a Savior.
No one will come to Jesus for salvation unless they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sin, unrighteousness, and the reality of a final judgment. People will love him in direct proportion to how great a sinner they know they are. Until the Helper convicts them of these realities, they will never feel a need for a Savior. No one will move toward faith.
But if you have not received Jesus as your Savior, you are a sinner who has missed God’s mark for your life. You are a rebel who has fought against his kingdom rule. You are ungodly, seeking your own selfish way. You deserve eternal separation from him, with hell being your eternal destiny.
Has the Helper convicted your heart of these awful realities? If so, here is some good news.
Jesus personally carried your sins in his body on the cross so that you can be dead to sin and live for what is right. Once you’ve confessed your sins to him, he will forgive you of all unrighteousness and you will possess a personal relationship with him. Your eternal trajectory will have changed.
Heaven is your eternal home.
And you now know how amazing God’s grace truly is.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]