In my reflection on the Holy Scriptures, the words of John 16:8 stand out, where Jesus assures his followers of the coming of the Holy Spirit: “When [the Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”. This verse embodies a tripartite role the Spirit takes up concerning the unconverted world, which is to ‘convict’; to reprove or illustrate the world’s misgivings specifically in the aspects of sin, righteousness and judgment.
As I meditate on these words, Jesus’ further clarification comes to mind: “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” (John 16:9–11, ESV). This deepening of understanding necessarily impels us to confront the sinful state of the world.
It is incumbent on the Holy Spirit to engender within the world a sense of its own sinfulness. No amount of sermonizing, beseeching, or accusations will bring about this realization absent the Holy Spirit’s influence within the heart of the sinner. The Holy Spirit’s primary task is to spur this conviction within individuals. The fundamental sin the world is found guilty of, according to Jesus, is unbelief. The Holy Spirit labors to make us aware of this inexorable truth, that once a person acknowledges and gives in to this Spirit-evoked conviction and turns to faith in Christ, the gamut of sins he indulged in will be dealt with. The initial roadblock is the sin of incredulity, an unwillingness to repose trust in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is also designated the task of waking the world up to the expectation of righteousness. We are all beheld to a righteous benchmark, notwithstanding the world’s obstinate negation of unequivocal truth. The flag-bearer of this righteousness, as Jesus indicates, is Himself: “Because I go to the Father.” It is only through the life and teachings of Jesus, the One sent from heaven, lived in sinless purity, and then rose back to heaven, that we can understand this righteousness. His life was the epitome of righteousness laid down by God the Father (John 8:28; Colossians 2:9). None can truly live up to His example of righteousness (Romans 3:23).
Moreover, the Holy Spirit educates the world about the impending judgment. A day of adjudication awaits, where the divine Creator will mete out justice, purging His creation of sin. In fact, this judgment has already commenced. As Jesus announces, Satan is the one on whom judgment first fell. Satan’s reign was overthrown when Jesus triumphed over death on the cross, redeeming sinners and vanquishing Satan (Hebrews 2:14). Those who refuse to accept Christ and persist in their sins will face the same condemnation that Satan does. This is the urgent warning the Holy Spirit reverberates in the hearts of the unconverted.
The Holy Spirit’s role is pivotal in an unconverted person’s journey, steering that person towards acknowledging their guilt, the justness of God, and the inevitability of judgment for sinners. Having sparked this recognition, the Spirit then directs the individual to Christ, the unique Savior from judgment (John 16:14). Throughout this process, the Spirit employs His “sword,” the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), resulting in a transformed heart. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17).
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