May 7, 2014 John 16:7–10 (ESV) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 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; The Helpers Role The Helper, or Holy Spirit, is sent by the Father to fill individual believers. The role of the Spirit in the life of the believer is first to bring regeneration or new life, to bring the very presence of God into the believers life, and secondly to begin the process of sanctification so that Spirit-filled fruit would emerge. But what role does the Spirit play in the life of the non-believer? Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will convict the non-believing world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit is not interested in cleaning up non-believers. He doesnt want people to look better; he wants people to become children of God through confession of Jesus as Savior. Sometimes we pray for an unbeliever that their life will get better. Maybe they have marital problems, or problems with substance abuse, or legal issues. God is only interested in those external issues secondarily. Primarily he is interested in the condition of their soul, for until he has a persons heart and soul, their external condition is temporal. Whereas we tend to look at a persons present condition, God looks at their eternal state. That doesnt mean God doesnt want to save marriages or help people in whatever terrible state they may be, but the best way to treat that symptom is to solve the disease of sin through forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Then the Holy Spirit can truly begin the lasting work of treating the various sinful conditions from which a person is suffering. The first issue of unbelief must be dealt with for the the Spirit to go from convicting Agent to assisting Helper.
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 12:00:00 +0000
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