LETTER FOR JULY 1990
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Dear Friends,

I would like to continue with the theme of the evidence of the blessing of the Holy Spirit within the Church. I said something about this last month. This month I would like to focus our attention on John 16 v 8-11. Here we have the work of the Holy Spirit in the soul of the individual, as He brings them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. This is the Spirit’s converting grace in the world.

The Holy Spirit works a work of progressive conviction in the soul. I say progressive because experimentally the order is crucial and important. One conviction follows the other and depends on the previous conviction for their relevance and power.

By conviction we mean a powerful irresistible impression on the soul, and on the heart and mind. It brings not only knew and deep understanding, but also a powerful change in our inner being and attitude. This conviction brings a tremendous change in our lives, and goes on maintaining and deepening this change.

The threefold progressive conviction is given by Jesus in verse 8. He convicts, first of guilt in regard to sin or rather convicts of sin, then he convicts of righteousness, and then of judgement.

I need to stop here and say something in support of this explanation of these verses which I am giving, because not all will agree that the original Greek language will support it. Please skip this paragraph if you want to. The question is not whether the Holy Spirit does a work in the soul which I am describing from this passage, but whether Jesus is speaking about this work of the Holy Spirit here, or whether he is speaking of a more general work in the world. The solution to the problem hangs on the Greek word translated in the NIV as “convict”. Usually this Greek word is used in the sense of reproving evil or sin. Almost all the uses of the word in the New Testament seem to be directed in this sense. But the word also has the meaning of convict and expose. In its use as convict in Titus 1:9 it has the meaning of convincing people who contradict the Gospel, that they are mistaken. The NIV translates “refute those who oppose”; but I am sure that the idea is more of convincing of the truth and so changing their attitude so they believe. There are one or two other places in the New Testament where this Greek word appears to be used in this sense, and I believe John 16:8,9 is one of them.

Let us now look at the explanation which Jesus gives of this convicting or convincing work of the Holy Spirit in the world. What is its effect on individual souls.

Firstly, it is an overwhelming sense of wrongness of attitude to Jesus - of rejecting him, of not believing on him, of disobeying him, of living without him. We see and feel what a terrible thing it is to reject and refuse the love of the Son of God. We see and feel what a dangerous thing this is, because Jesus is the Saviour from our sins and from the punishment due for sin. We see that rejecting Jesus is refusing his love and refusing the only way we can be saved from the consequences of sin. On the Day of Pentecost after Peter’s sermon recorded in Acts 2, people were cut to the heart (Acts 2:37). They felt this great sin of rejecting Jesus.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit convicts or convinces of righteousness. When a soul is oppressed by this conviction of sin, it needs to be convinced of the remedy which will deliver the soul. The Holy Spirit convinces that there is a righteousness which covers all sin. Jesus says in v.10 that the Holy Spirit convinces of righteousness because he is going to the Father. What this means is that the Holy Spirit shows the convicted soul how Jesus has died and risen and then ascended to the Father, showing by this that he has fully completed his work to save sinners. The Holy Spirit convinces the stricken soul that Jesus has done all that is needed, and provides his righteousness to cover all their sin.

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit removes all fears which the soul, who has lived in Satan’s power, has remaining. The fear is whether they have been truly delivered from Satan’s power and clutches. The Holy Spirit convicts or convinces them of judgement, that judgement is complete and they need not fear it. That judgement has fallen on Satan the prince of this world, and he has been condemned and defeated. The Holy Spirit convinces the soul that Jesus has been victorious completely over Satan, and can keep all who are committed to him from all the power of Satan and all judgement.

This understanding may not be as well defined as this, but all of it will be there. When the Holy Spirit comes in power, souls are converted. They are convinced of their sin in rejecting Jesus, and as they are cast down in repentance and sorrow and fear, the Holy Spirit convinces them that they can trust Jesus wholly. Convinces them that he is waiting to bless them and provide all they need to escape sin and Satan. Convince them that Jesus provides a righteousness to cover their sins and deliver from the rule and bondage of Satan.

This converting experience leaves a deep trust in and love for Jesus, which fills the soul with peace and joy. Let us pray much for this reviving work of God’s Spirit, as we thank him for the signs of it amongst us in our church.

Your servant for Christ’s sake.