Conviction

John 16:7-11

Yesterday we looked at conviction from a humorous (hopefully) perspecitve. Today let us look at the ministry of the HOly Spirit regarding conviction in a more averall way. Conviction is a mojor roll of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit deals with the unsaved very differently from the saved. We can see this in today's reading. In Verse 8 Jesus says he will show the World, convict or pronounce guilty the world (the unsaved masses) of their sin and need for the Savior. It is the primary power behind the unsaved's seeing, sensing and/or realizing their need for the Savior. Verse 9 shows us the only sin that causes damnation, rejection or refusing to believe in God.

His ministry to believers is very different. He deals with us on the basis of our relationship with Christ. He warns us, if we are listening to himand it is our desire to live a Godly life. The Holy Spirit intertwines with our natural conscience, supercharging it; making us hyper sensitive to those things that are contrary to Gods desires for us. A true believer is CAPABLE of any sin that an unsaved person is. It is just that we have not hardened our hearts and we hear him, we pull away from sinning. He works in us, teaching us as we grow in grace and knowledge of him. 

He is the one who shapes and conforms us into the image of Christ. It is his Love for us that turns the vice of conviction, squeezing the conscience of the believers, pointing to those areas of our lives needing confesson and repentance. Let us pray: 

Lord, we thank you for the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is your great agent for our change. He makes us and our decision making process to be in line with your desires. In our lives he is making us more like you. That is our goal; to be conformed to the image of your dear son, Jesus. We thank you so much. Each turn of the vise of conviction is another demonstration of your Love. Thank you Lord!! In Jesus' name, Amen.