Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, August 3, 2024
Shabbat Shalom,
The Conviction of the Spirit
By David Harwood
The Spirit of our Father is actively involved. He’s right in the middle of the process of our coming to faith and being born from above. In fact, the conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment of a lost world is the work of the Spirit.
“When He comes, He will convict the world (cosmos) about sin, righteousness, and judgment: (John 16:8)
The following is easy to overlook. In John 16:8, it is written that the goal of the Spirit is to convict the cosmos.
According to the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, the Greek word translated convict (elenchō) speaks of reproving, rebuking, exposing. Louw Nida defines it along these lines:
to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach….’
John 16:8 is not speaking of the Spirit’s role in convincing believers that they are free from the guilt of sin, have been made righteous, and been declared, “Not guilty.” This verse is not revealing the Spirit’s activity to believers. No, those who are “of the world” are the object of this aspect of the Spirit’s holy ministry. Believers in the Messiah are not “of the world.”
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)
I have given them Your word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world. (John 17:14)
The Ruach’s ministry communicates to lost humanity that they are guilty of sin. He reveals God’s standards of righteousness. He warns them that they will be held accountable for their sins. This conviction prepares the way for faith in the saving word of the Messiah.
God appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman to Israel. The prophetic watchman’s role was to warn those in his charge that they were facing calamity as a result of their rebellion. Ezekiel, loving his people, was faithful. The Holy Spirit is like a faithful watchman, warning those He loves, and exhorting them to repent and believe the Good News.
This conviction takes place through the empowered proclamation of the Good News. He also utilizes the righteous loving relationships found within the communities of believers. Such lifestyles convict the cosmos. In addition, the prayers of God’s people release the Holy Spirit’s conviction upon those who are of this world system. So, too, do demonstrations of revelation (1 Corinthians 14:24), delivering power released through the gifts of the Spirit, and remarkable answers to Spirit unctioned prayer.
These things prepare people to embrace the Good News. When that saving word is received in faith a human is born again (born from above).
Born from above?
Yes, the Holy Spirit is from heaven.
… the Ruach ha-Kodesh, sent from heaven. (1 Peter 1:12b)
That which is born of heaven’s Spirit is spirit. This rebirth takes place through the Ruach who loves us. However, His relational activity does not stop there. He is the one who communicates the Son’s ongoing revelation to the soul of the believer.
Next week let’s consider that aspect of the Spirit’s activity.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
28 Tamuz Shabbat 3-Aug-24
Parashat Mattot-Massei Numbers 35:9-36:13 Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4