The Work of The Spirit
When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. (John 16:8–11)
When we think of the Holy Spirit, we see a picture of the person of the Godhead who works faith in us and remains with us throughout our life. It’s a happy picture that comforts us and brings us joy because we belong to God.
But Jesus paints us a bit different picture of the Holy Spirit. As he explained to his disciples that he would send them the Holy Spirit, he also told them that the Holy Spirit would not only work in them and those who believe, but also throughout the world. The Spirit would convict the world.
At the hearing of the gospel, the world would be convicted by the Spirit, showing them that they could not earn their way to heaven. This would open a door for the gospel to work in their hearts and for the Spirit to create faith in them.
When we share the gospel with those who have not yet heard it, the Spirit still convicts the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. He still works through the proclamation of the gospel to open hearts to receive the faith that brings righteousness and wipes away sin. Amen.
The song for today is “Holy Spirit My Counsellor” by Glen & Teresa La’rive