Jesus Sent The "Convict-or"

What Did Jesus Do?

“And when he (the Helper) comes, he will convict the world...”
John 16.8

A lot of us who should know better find more misdirected satisfaction than we should in hearing that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to convict the world. “You're darn right, Jesus, this guilty world sure does deserve to be convicted.” I'm sure very few, if any, who read this would ever do such a thing, but I confess that all too often I will think, or even comment, “Boy, that guy sure needs to stand under conviction!” It's not that my observations aren't true, it's just that I so seldom aim them in the right direction—towards the mirror.

Not that I haven't experienced conviction. The problem is when a day goes by and I avoid/deny my guilt, and instead occupy myself by wagging a finger or my tongue at those people or situations I take unholy satisfaction in judging as somehow more worthy of being convicted than I am. It's a pharisaical sort of thing to do, and it stands is sharp contrast to what Jesus has called his disciples to do. When Jesus told his disciples that they needed to deny themselves he did not mean for any of us to apply that denial to the reality of our sin. And he certainly didn't instruct us to major in judging others (see Matthew 7.1-5).

While it is true that Jesus explicitly said that the Holy Spirit would come and “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment,” we would do well to remember Pogo's confession, “We have met the enemy, and he is us!” In other words, we should never forget that we ourselves are on the list of those the Spirit has come to convict. Though this may make us uncomfortable, it shouldn't. As it turns out, conviction is good for us, and it is in fact the first, and, I believe, most important, work the Helper performs—he convicts us! Without being convicted of our sin who among us would ever be likely to admit the need of a Savior? So, thank you, Convict-or, for convicting me. Help me, Helper, by convicting, not condemning, me every day.

As for the world, well its sin was and is in not believing in Christ (John 16.9), in rejecting and crucifying the Savior, which in effect was a denial of its need of salvation, a denial of guilt and refusal to be convicted. The unrighteousness of the world was revealed through the righteousness of the One condemned by the world, who was raised in righteousness and ascended to the Father (John 16.10). The “ruler of this world” (Satan) had judged Jesus guilty, but the Father would declare the Son innocent, and thereby judge the world and its ruler guilty of condemning an innocent man (John 16.11).

All this work of convicting is helpful when seen in light of the fact that all whom the Helper brings to Jesus Christ are no longer under any condemnation, but are in fact set free by the indwelling presence and power of the Spirit of the Father who raised the Son, at work now within them (see Romans 8.1-11). How great an advantage to those who are being saved that the Son returned to the Father and sent the Helper to convict the world, and us!

As Christ's disciples our place is not to condemn nor convict, but to share with others/the world how we have been, and are now, convicted by the Spirit, who sets us free to follow Jesus by loving others/the world like Jesus.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4