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Sin, Judgment, and Righteousness
In the last few chapters of John, Jesus takes time with his disciples to
tell them about the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a Counselor, Jesus tells
them, who will guide them into all truth.
In John 16:8-11, Jesus says of the Spirit, “When he comes, he will
convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to
righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no
longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned.” (NIV)
The first thing the world is wrong about is sin. The world says sin is
about breaking rules. Isn’t that what you’ve always been told? But the
Spirit says sin is about unbelief, about refusing to believe in Jesus.
The second thing the world is wrong about is righteousness. The world
says righteousness is about trying to get back to God. But the Holy Spirit
says righteousness is about Jesus going to the Father.
Notice Romans 3:21-24: “But now a righteousness from God, apart from
law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This
righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that came by Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
The third thing the world is wrong about is Judgment. The world says that
judgment spells doom for us. But the Holy Spirit says that judgment spells
doom for evil.
Romans 8:31-35 says, “…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who
did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also,
along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that
condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is
at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate
us from the love of Christ?...”
Just as Jesus said, the Holy Spirit exposes the world’s lies and leads us
into all truth: Sin is rooted in unbelief, not in rules. Righteousness comes
from Jesus on our behalf, not from our own efforts. And judgment is a
condemnation of evil, not of those Jesus died and was raised for.
As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:6, the letter of the law kills, but the
Spirit gives life.
I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.
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