Thus we affirm our belief in:-
- The Person of the Holy Spirit
- The work of the Spirit in Regeneration
- The work of the Spirit in Sanctification
- The work of the Spirit in Enabling, and Empowering for service
Why will the Spirit do this? He will reprove or convict - 'Of sin, because they do not believe in me' (v9). Here we see the - essence of Sin - what Sin really is. What we commonly recognise as Sin - is in reality the outcome, the outworking of Sin. Lying, murder, stealing, adultery, arise - because we believe not. Adams sin lies not in the action taking and eating of forbidden fruit but in not believing a holy and righteous God.
The root of sin is - unbelief, this is why those who are morally upright yet outside of Christ, and the blatant sinner suffer the same condemnation. As Romans 3:23 says, 'All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God'. Verse 10 confirms, 'There is none righteous, no, not one.' The work of the spirit, is to convince the world, concerning this unbelief and to persuade men of the truth concerning Jesus Christ, that Jesus is the Son of God. That his death on the cross was an atoning once for all sacrifice for Sin. It was the conviction that Jesus Christ was indeed the Son of God that wrung from three thousand souls, at Pentecost the cry, 'Men and brethren what shall we do' (Acts 2:37). Christ's promise concerning the convicting power of the Spirit has been abundantly and gloriously fulfilled, and would continue to do so as the Church continued to grow. Man will not go to hell just because he is a sinner, but because he believes not the testimony of God concerning His Son, effectively calling God a liar. 'He that believeth not God, hath made him to be a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son' (1 John 5:10).
What is God’s record concerning His Son? Well as Jesus is baptised in the Jordan river at the commencement of His ministry the heavens open and a voice from heaven declares 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' (Matt 3:17). And again on the mount of transfiguration 'This is my beloved Son; hear Him' (Mark 9:7). Yet it was this beloved Son God gave to become the Saviour of the world 'God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).
We have already noted that the work of the Spirit is to convince the world, but more particularly the work of the Spirit is to convince you, for Salvation is a very personal work. How would you reply to the question - Do you believe on the Son of God? Remember the blind man Christ healed (John 9)? His reply to that question was, 'Who is he Lord that I might believe'. As Christ revealed himself to him, so he believe. Likewise notice Christ's reply when Peter confessed 'You are the Christ the Son of the living God'(Matt 16:16-17): '...flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father, who is in heaven.'
Note, the Spirit having come from the Father now does the will of the Father even as Christ did the Fathers will. We see the Spirit at work in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). The Spirit led Philip to him. Then wanting to be baptised - he confessed 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Evidently the Spirit is as much at work in the bringing of Philip as in the convincing of the Eunuch.
What about you? Has the Spirit been patiently leading and guiding, these many years, many times have you heard the story of Jesus - as a child - many times have you heard the Gospel message. Why did you attend church last Lord’s day? Is it a tradition - because you like the company - the singing. Why do you find it difficult to stay away? It is the blessed Holy Spirit of God tenderly wooing you, showing you your need of Christ. He has sought you for many years - to bring you into the fold of God. Through many difficult situations, with infinite love and patience - His mercy has brought you - to this day - to this hour to confront you once more with your need of a saviour.
Will you not yield to his gentle persuasion and confess Him today?
'Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more' (v10). The world accused Him of blasphemy (Matt 26:65), of consorting with sinners (Matt 9:11), and of breaking the Sabbath by healing woman crippled eighteen years (Luke 13:14); they despised the lowly carpenter of Nazareth. They vented their fury on the back of the Son of God. They nailed Him to a cross as a common felon, preferring the company of the murderer, Barabbas.
His righteousness would be revealed by His death and acceptance by God. A centurion at the cross was the first to acknowledge His righteousness as Jesus commended His spirit to the Father, 'Certainly this was a righteous man' (Luke 23:47). The Spirit is at work in a Gentile convincing him of the righteousness of the man upon the cross. At Pentecost, Peters asserts that Jesus had been raised by God, to His right hand, the Spirit convicted the crowd. Willing now to accept Him who they had previously rejected accepting Christ's righteousness on their behalf, to Salvation. If God had accepted Jesus, then surely Jesus must be righteous.
The work of the Spirit is to convince you not only Christ's righteousness but also that you have no righteousness of your own in which you may stand before a holy God as ISA 64:6 reminds us '... we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags’. Thus in order to stand in the presence of a holy and righteous God we need the aid of one who is righteous, and now stands in the presence of God. 'For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us' (Hebrews 9:24). Not only is he in the presence of God but he has been exalted and given a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. When you acknowledge his righteousness, calling upon Him for Salvation, confessing Him as Lord in your life, the Spirit has achieved His purpose in your life.
'Of judgement, because the prince of this world is judged' (v11). Satan, was judged, and condemned at Calvary, because of this YOU also stand in the same condemnation, subject to the same final punishment. Here then is the final work for us to consider today. The soul that is persuaded of Gods final judgement for Sin and sinners is the soul that will fly to the cross for safety. The soul that fears the wrath of God - pleads his mercy - as David pleaded the - 'tender mercies' of God. When you come by the Spirit to realise that God IS just, the Son is righteous, that you need a saviour it is the same Spirit that bids you confess Christ as Lord. When we confess Him He will confess our name in the presence of God 'Whosoever - shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, who is in heaven' (Matt 10:32).
To those who love him, He has promised the same Spirit, to dwell within 'And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever (John 14:16), - and he shall be in you.' v 17. 'He that believeth on the Son of God has the witness in himself' (1 John 5:10). This great work of bringing mankind to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the primary work of the Holy Spirit. Will you not yield to the Spirits patient wooing - today, for today is the day of salvation.
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