The Gift of Pain
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8
My wife and I are new grandparents. It is so exciting. Recently, our son and his family came back home to visit us. They named our grandson Remy Oliver. My paternal grandfather’s name was Oliver. Seeing Remy melted our hearts. However, we were quickly reminded that our house is not childproof. We were constantly jumping up to move things or distract Remy. Low “hanging” breakables and outlets were his toys of choice. The kitchen and especially the oven/stove were off limits. Already we were saying, “Hot!”
We do not want Remy to get hurt. Pain is such an intriguing concept. Although we hate it and avoid it, we should be thankful for it. Pain helps us avoid getting seriously hurt.
Conviction is the same way. Although it bothers us, it is a gift to help us from getting seriously hurt. John 16:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit being sent after the Son returns to Heaven, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit came to convict us. Warren Wiersbe points out that the Greek word for convict is a “legal word that means to bring to light, to expose, to refute, to convict and convince.”
Not only does the conviction of the Holy Spirit direct us away from sin and help us avoid getting seriously hurt, but His conviction also does more. Our sinful life and need for a Savior are clearly realized. We acknowledge that we are in a dire situation that only the work of Jesus Christ on the cross can rectify.
Therefore, conviction by the Holy Spirit should direct us away from self (sinful ways) and to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
A beautiful example of the Spirit’s function is that of Nathan the prophet, who challenged King David for his sins against Uriah. Nathan gives a story of someone abusing his neighbor exposing immense greed. David is furious and wants to know who did this. In 2 Samuel 12:7, we read, “Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” Nathan pointed out David’s sins and David responded properly. He was a broken man. David writes in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin right now? Do you realize your need to come to the Lord for salvation? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of some poor choices that have pointed you away from the Lord? Be thankful for the conviction and come back to Him.
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8
My wife and I are new grandparents. It is so exciting. Recently, our son and his family came back home to visit us. They named our grandson Remy Oliver. My paternal grandfather’s name was Oliver. Seeing Remy melted our hearts. However, we were quickly reminded that our house is not childproof. We were constantly jumping up to move things or distract Remy. Low “hanging” breakables and outlets were his toys of choice. The kitchen and especially the oven/stove were off limits. Already we were saying, “Hot!”
We do not want Remy to get hurt. Pain is such an intriguing concept. Although we hate it and avoid it, we should be thankful for it. Pain helps us avoid getting seriously hurt.
Conviction is the same way. Although it bothers us, it is a gift to help us from getting seriously hurt. John 16:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit being sent after the Son returns to Heaven, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit came to convict us. Warren Wiersbe points out that the Greek word for convict is a “legal word that means to bring to light, to expose, to refute, to convict and convince.”
Not only does the conviction of the Holy Spirit direct us away from sin and help us avoid getting seriously hurt, but His conviction also does more. Our sinful life and need for a Savior are clearly realized. We acknowledge that we are in a dire situation that only the work of Jesus Christ on the cross can rectify.
Therefore, conviction by the Holy Spirit should direct us away from self (sinful ways) and to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
A beautiful example of the Spirit’s function is that of Nathan the prophet, who challenged King David for his sins against Uriah. Nathan gives a story of someone abusing his neighbor exposing immense greed. David is furious and wants to know who did this. In 2 Samuel 12:7, we read, “Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” Nathan pointed out David’s sins and David responded properly. He was a broken man. David writes in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin right now? Do you realize your need to come to the Lord for salvation? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of some poor choices that have pointed you away from the Lord? Be thankful for the conviction and come back to Him.
Posted in Upper Room
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