Convinced Of Sin

Convinced of Sin

Read: John 16:5-11

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me.”

John 16:8-9

“Before God saves a man, He convicts him of his ‘sinnership.’”

—A. W. Pink

IN WORD The Holy Spirit is the consummate convincer. It is His area of expertise: Where we are ignorant, He reveals. And we are perhaps nowhere more ignorant than with regard to our own sin. It is our biggest blind spot, at least before He shines His light into our darkness.

Why must the Holy Spirit convict us of sin? Because we do not at first believe in Jesus. If we did, there would be no need. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We would be forgiven and cleansed already through our faith. But because we did not believe, and many remain who do not, He must come and convince. We are only driven to a Savior when we know we need saving. The Holy Spirit must convict us of sin so that we will know we need saving. We must know so we will believe.

This is the struggle between the human race and faith. We resist being told we are sinners. After all, we’ve spent quite a bit of effort to present ourselves otherwise. We’ve put our best foot forward to make the right impression—on God and on others. Why would we willingly hear the witness of a Spirit that says we’re corrupt to the core? Why would resourceful people such as ourselves readily present ourselves to Someone who came to save us? Save us from what?

IN DEED This is not just an evangelism issue. It is also a discipleship issue. Having been saved by grace, we still seek to be perfected by works. The Spirit will not let us. He will not only remind us that we came to the Savior one day years ago; He will compel us to come to Him today. And tomorrow. And the next day. As long as sin is present, so the Spirit will convict. And as long as He convicts, we must not resist. Drop the pose of self-righteousness and remember your need of grace. Let your belief in Jesus’ salvation be as real as it was on day one.