Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment...of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more (John 16:8,10).
Yesterday, we examined the work of the Holy Spirit to convict the lost person of sin. Today, we examine the work of the Holy Spirit to convince believers of righteousness.
Just as the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, He also convicts those who have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ regarding their righteousness. Many born-again Christians struggle with feelings of condemnation and fear that they are not truly saved. They have not fully grasped the truth of their God-given righteousness and feel compelled to prove their worthiness to God. They live in fear that they will forget to ask for forgiveness for every sin they commit. They fail to comprehend that even though they fall short of God's perfection, Jesus didn't. It is crucial to understand that the Holy Spirit's conviction of righteousness is just as significant a work of the Holy Spirit as His conviction of sin.
In John 16:8, the Greek word "elegcho" is translated as "convict." This term suggests someone receiving intense questioning that results in a decisive confrontation, where the individual, unable to refute the facts, is convinced. Yesterday, we saw how the Holy Spirit interacts with sinners, guiding them to recognize their spiritual condition. At this critical moment, they face their lost state, separation from God, and sinful nature. At this point, they have the opportunity to repent and accept Christ.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers, teaching and helping them reach a point where they can no longer deny their new nature and become convinced of their righteousness in Christ. As believers, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Understanding and accepting this truth can be difficult for the human mind, as our natural tendency is to question and doubt. While it is absolutely true that we cannot attain righteousness on our own, the blood of Jesus has declared us righteous.
Instead of striving to attain an unattainable goal of righteousness, the Holy Spirit desires to open our eyes to the point where we perceive and comprehend with absolute certainty that we are not attempting to become righteous; instead, we have been declared righteous by God. The moment you have a revelation of this truth and are utterly convinced of its reality, it will profoundly transform your prayer life, your self-perception, and your actions and reactions. When you grasp this truth, you will perceive and act as a person who has become righteous in the eyes of God. Instead of sin condemning you, you will let the Holy Spirit convict you of your righteous identity and live its reality. When you are convinced of your righteousness by the Holy Spirit, you will be convicted of any behavior that is not rooted in the new nature you have received. The Holy Spirit becomes your guide and your teacher, and you His apprentice.
What a remarkable gift God bestowed upon us in the gift of the Holy Spirit! God sent the Holy Spirit to convince us of our righteous standing because Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us. Yet, many Christians are acutely aware of their weaknesses and struggle to accept the truth that God has declared them righteous through Jesus. If you try to tell them that they are righteous, they might respond by emphasizing their imperfections instead of praising God for the gift of His righteousness.
Sinful flesh will always cling to the worst and most negative aspects of life. It will always pull you downward and never upward. It is the state of mind that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit. If the sinful flesh is not crucified by the sanctifying power of God's Spirit, it will follow its negative nature to the grave. If you allow your flesh to determine your identity instead of the Holy Spirit, you will struggle to believe God's good report, doubt His great work, and indeed doubt that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
Pessimistic and sinful thinking have been such integral parts of our old nature that it takes a convincing work of the Holy Spirit to reveal the supernatural work of righteousness God has performed within us. When the Father declares that we are His children and has made us righteous, we must allow the Holy Spirit to convince us of our righteous standing with God. If we fail to do so, our fleshly emotions will declare that we are too unworthy to be made righteous.
Many Christians are negative about their righteousness in Christ. They fail to comprehend and value the immense work He has done for them. It is a work that cost Him His life. Jesus gave His blood to redeem and transform them into "new creations in Christ Jesus" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet, they struggle to see anything positive about themselves.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
Another way to express this verse could be: "We are a product of His own design, wonderfully made in Christ Jesus—shaped under the influence and guidance of His divine power." This is a powerful and transformative truth, but it requires the Holy Spirit to move it from our minds to our hearts. Just as the Holy Spirit convinces a sinner of his lost condition, He must also assure us of our right standing with God.
Our old, sinful nature is so negative that it requires a supernatural work of the Spirit to help us comprehend our new identity in Christ. Understanding that we have been made righteous is just as miraculous as a lost person recognizing their own lost condition.
If you struggle with self-image issues and feelings of condemnation, you need the Holy Spirit to work His transformative power in your life. Only He can illuminate your faith in God's righteousness and enable you to hear His voice. Once your spiritual eyes and ears are open, and you comprehend your righteousness in Christ Jesus, you will never again doubt its truth. When the Holy Spirit reminds you of your righteousness, you will overflow with joy, declaring, "I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!" You will know that is exactly who you are.
Avoid constantly dwelling on negative thoughts about yourself. Instead, open yourself to the Holy Spirit, who will convince you of your worthiness, righteousness, and transformation into a new creation. Follow His guidance in all aspects of your life, and you will live the righteousness you have received.
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