Holy Spirit

John 16:7-8. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…

Repentance is a huge theme of the book of Revelation. It tells us that people will be called over and over to repent of their sin, but that they will not do so.  Even after experiencing horrible things in God’s judgment, they will refuse to turn to God. This will be a sign that the final judgment is very near. I have been disturbed about this as our church has been studying Revelation. How can people hear the truth over and over, experience the wrath of God and still not turn to Him?

Mankind needs God desperately, yet in ourselves we will not turn to Him. The Bible says we are dead in our trespasses and sins and that no one seeks after God. That is why I am so grateful for today’s verse. Jesus was going back to His Father but He promised His disciples that He would send a helper, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Something that the world could not do on its own God’s Spirit would would work in their hearts.

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin. In order to accept salvation a person needs to know that they are in trouble. Satan has lured the world today into the mindset that nothing is wrong. He speaks the lie that they are pretty good and have no need of help.  The Holy Spirit speaks the truth that everyone is a sinner and needs what God offers freely.

The Holy Spirit convicts of righteousness: There is none righteous, no not one. Righteousness is being right with God. Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden man has been plagued with a sin nature. Because of this we fall short of God’s glory, but when we accept Christ as our Savior, He gives us His righteousness making us acceptable to God.

The Holy Spirit convicts of judgment. There will be punishment for sin. God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden because they disobeyed God. Anyone who does not accept God’s salvation will not be allowed into heaven and will experience His judgment on sin.

In the end times people will not repent of their sins, but now while the Holy Spirit is on earth working in the lives of people, we need to pray that He will convict our unsaved loved ones of their sin, God’s righteousness, and of the judgment to come if they refuse God’s way of escape.

Love,

Mama