John 16: 8-11

Last night we were reading John 16 in family prayer and these words struck me with a deeper emphasis than normal: "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged." John 16.8-11

Our Lord is talking about the work of the Holy Spirit. He will convict us on three counts. First, our unbelief. Many have refused to believe that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. Many have refused to accept His sacrifice for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Sin is refusing to accept the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is being preached all over the world. Whoever rejects the gospel is sinning against God. May God open their eyes to this truth. Sin is unbelief. Sin is refusing to believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Second, righteousness. Here Jesus is talking of Himself as righteousness. He is my righteousness; the Lord our Righteousness, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Jesus Christ has become to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor 1.30. Righteousness is a Person. Jesus Christ by His Person and Work fulfilled the righteousness of God. He came into this world to save us from our sins by the shedding of His precious blood on the cross of Calvary. He paid the penalty of the Law, which condemned sin. He paid the price for our redemption. In His life and death He fulfilled the righteousness of God.

Third, judgment. On the cross, Satan, the ruler of this world, was judged. On the cross, a great battle was fought, but our Lord obtained the victory. The death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross swallowed up death; through His death He rendered powerless the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil.

But what a great price our Lord had to pay! We note that in His resurrection body were the imprint of the cruel nails and the horrid spear-thrust. He died for us, for our sins, for delivering us from sin, Satan and death itself, in order to grant us eternal redemption and to bring us into a gloriously loving and inseparable fellowship with God Himself .

There is no way to heaven but through Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2.2