Friday May 3, 2024

John 16:8
“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin
and righteousness and judgment.”

We have noted before the quiet comfort contained in these words of Jesus.

But you will perhaps say: the comfort is only half-way. Of what good is it that people are convicted if they are not saved? Why are not more of those who come under conviction saved?

Indeed, you have touched upon a painful question.

Christ has not come into the world to compel us to accept salvation. Therefore the prophet said at His very birth: “Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against.”

And the apostle Paul, who saw this fulfilled among his own people, says that the gospel is to some a savor of death unto death, but to others a savor of life unto life.

It is the work of the Spirit to convict.

He does not fool any one into following Jesus. Nor does He frighten any one into the kingdom of God. Still less does He seek to force any one in.

He simply convicts. But He does do that. Not a soul slips down into eternal perdition without first having been convicted of sin and grace by the Spirit.

Do you hear that, you who are convicted?

You think, and talk, and wait, and hope, and long for that to happen of which you have already been convicted. Yes, there are some who are waiting for something besides this. They expect God virtually to strike them down and in a way compel them to be converted.

My friend, God has only one means of saving you, namely, by convicting you. If you will not follow the conviction which the Spirit of God has worked in you, not even God can save you.

O. Hallesby, God’s Word for Today: A Daily Devotional for the Whole Year, translator Clarence J. Carlsen (Augsburg, 1994)
Scripture for opening text taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.