Thursday February 16, 2017
“He is Mine, and I am His”
And when He has come, He will convict
the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment – John 16:8
Conviction of Sin (ongo‘i tautea ‘i he angahala)
A. The author of conviction (tokotaha
‘oku lea o‘o)
Na‘e palomesi mai ‘a Sisu, te
ne tuku mai ‘a e Laumalie Ma‘oni‘oni ke ne fakamaau‘i ‘a mamani (lea o‘o) fekau‘aki
mo e angahala, ma‘oni‘oni mo e fakamaau. Ko e “lea o‘o” (convict) ‘oku ‘uhinga
ko e “lea lahi“, “fakaloto‘i”. Ko ha lea fefeka ke ofe‘i mo liliu ha fa‘ahinga
me‘a.
Jesus promised that he would
send the Holy Spirit to ‘convict the
world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment’ (John 16:8). The word
John uses for convict means ‘to
scorn’, ‘to pour contempt’ and to
‘convince’. It is this severe
ministry which the Holy Spirit exercises in his office as Advocate. It is in
his work of glorifying Christ and vindicating him that, of necessity, the Spirit
must accomplish this painful work in men’s hearts. He defends Christ and
vindicates him; but in so doing, he serves as the Council for the prosecution
in God’s indictment against sinners.
It is important for the
proper understanding of Jesus’ words to recognize that in the context of his
message the primary reference of these words is to the Day of Pentecost. For the Spirit will convict concerning sin and
righteousness and judgment only ‘when he
comes’ (John 16:8). The whole thrust of our Lord’s sermon indicates that
the Spirit will come after Christ’s death and resurrection, and upon his
ascension and return to the right hand of the Father (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7).
The day when he comes (John 15:26; 16:8) is clearly the Day of Pentecost (acts
1:8; 2:1). If we examine the prophecy of Jesus in the light of its particular
fulfillment on that day, we should also be able to uncover the ground plan for
this ministry of the Spirit in every age.
Challenge:
We walk by
faith and not by sight (feelings). The work of the Spirit in convicting the
world (us) is a “real” on-going work. It is not some vague sensation or guilt.
Guilt is real but being convicted of sin is a work of the Holy Spirit. Tell God
the Holy Spirit that you love Him for his “extreme work” of breaking you
down, to build you back up by His power. Be sensitive to areas of your life
that God is speaking to you about. His work of conviction is a sign that you
are “His.”
This Day in Christian History:
February 16, 1688 – On this day, James Renwick, a young Scottish preacher smuggled a note of
encouragement to his mother just before he was executed for his faith. “There is nothing in the world that I am
sorry to leave but you… Farewell, mother. Farewell, night wanderings, cold, and
weariness for Christ. Farewell, Sweet Bible and preaching of the Gospel.
Welcome, crown of glory. Welcome, Oh Thou blessed Trinity and one God. I commit
my soul in today eternal rest.”
Memory Verse:
But of Him
you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness
and sanctification and redemption— 1
Corinthians 1:30
He ‘oku mei
He‘ene ‘Afio ho‘omou tu‘u ni pea ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū: ‘a ia kuo fokotu‘u mei he
‘Otua, ko hotau poto‘anga, ko hotau fakatonuhia mo fakamā‘oni‘oni‘anga, pea mo
hotau huhu‘i – 1 Kolinito 1:30
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week
7 – Leviticus 4-7; Hebrews 3
No comments:
Post a Comment