April 16
Bible Reading: John 16:8-11
John 16:8-11, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
It was the summer of 2016 when my wife, Laura, began to experience back pain. As is typical in such cases, the physician prescribed physical therapy. Though she dutifully attended the recommended exercises, things got worse instead of better. It wasn’t until January 2017 that imaging tests revealed that cancer was at the source of her troubles. A correct and timely diagnosis would have availed a quicker response to the cancer and saved her from much unnecessary pain.
We are all born into this world as sinners (Romans 3:23). Sin is at the root of our troubles. Salvation is availed to through the finished work of Christ on the cross. But for any of us to turn to Jesus, it is necessary that we first understand the depth of our need. It is the Holy Spirit who works to bring that need to light through a correct diagnosis.
His essential ministry of convicting is necessary because we lack the ability to evaluate ourselves correctly (Jeremiah 17:9). Likewise, we are incapable on our own to seek out the Savior, being blinded by Satan to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) and incapable of understanding spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).
George Whitefield was a student at Oxford University and a member of the “Holy Club” together with the Wesley brothers. Though very religious, he was not saved. But the Spirit was at work. George was so burdened for his soul that he could not work or attend school. He experienced many sleepless nights and became ill and bedridden. He reached an end of himself and had his eyes opened to Jesus through the working of the Spirit. He was born again and went on to preach that gospel to thousands in revivals across England and America.
In a sermon entitled “The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment,” George Whitefield spoke of the Spirit’s convicting ministry: “We have seen how the Holy Ghost convinces the sinner of the sin of his nature, life, duties, and of the sin of unbelief; and what then must the poor creature do? He must, he must inevitably despair, if there be no hope but in himself… Now the sinner begins to see, that though he has destroyed himself, yet in Christ is his help; that, though he has no righteousness of his own to recommend him, there is a fullness of grace, a fullness of truth, a fullness of righteousness in the dear Lord Jesus, which, if once imputed to him, will make him happy forever and ever.”
George Whitefield
The Spirit alone can open our eyes both to the depth of our need and the glory of the Savior.
I KNOW WHOM I BELIEVED
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
to me is daily shown,
nor why, with mercy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.
Refrain:
But “I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.”
I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his word
wrought peace within my heart. [Refrain]
I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing us of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in him. [Refrain]
I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noon-day fair,
nor if I’ll walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 