Spirit Work

⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

 ⁸And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

 ⁹Of sin, because they believe not on me;

 ¹⁰Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

 ¹¹Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

-John 16:7-11(KJV)

Well, it's been a few days since I've posted here. I've been sick with a pretty nasty cold. Missed church on Sunday, and missed both weekly broadcasts for ScriptureLinks this week. Now, I'm feeling better, so let's study the Word.

In these passages of Scripture, Jesus is teaching us about the Holy Spirit, and teaching us about the work of the Spirit. One thing to note before we study about the Spirit's work, is  found in verse 7. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." The Disciples, no doubt, clung to Jesus. The time of His departure was at hand, and they were going to carry out the work Jesus started. They may have been terrified at this thought, yet Jesus promises them someone who will be with them. He calls Him the Comforter. Many of us who live in colder climates know that a comforter is usually a big, thick, heavy blanket that we use to protect ourselves from the cold weather. The Holy Spirit (the Comforter) will protect the Disciples so they can do the work they are called to do. This same Comforter will protect us as well. Jesus says that it is expedient for you that I go away. Why is it so important that Jesus goes away? Because if He doesn't the promised Comforter will not come. Now, the work of the Spirit is threefold.

We read in verse 8, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment." Reprove means "convict or convince." The Spirit will do work in the world. Look at what He does:

• Convince the world of sin. We all need a Savior. The Spirit will convince us that we, indeed, fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23)
• Convince the world of righteousness. We can't attain the righteousness of God without Jesus, and without the Spirit, we will not realize our sin and our need to be right with God. To many of us try to make our own brand of righteousness. We proclaim things like, "Live for today." "It's my life and I'll live it like I want!" We can't make our own rules and expect God to bless it. (Rom. 10:3) We need to live in such a way as to glorify God. 
• Convince the world of judgment. Judgment is coming. One day, each and every one of us will stand before God. For those without Christ, they will be sentenced to an eternity in Hell. For those who have given their lives to Christ, to those who followed the convincing of the Spirit in regard to sin, and who followed the convincing of the Spirit in regard to righteousness, those are the ones will will enter into Heaven. You see, the world around us is evil, you don't need me to tell you that. It's those who put their faith in Jesus that will overcome the world.

Have you answered the convincing of the Spirit? Has the Spirit been calling your attention to your need for a Savior? Think About It.