SUNDAY September 25, 2022
The Holy Spirit’s Influence
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
John 16:7-11
I was thinking about the Holy Spirit’s influence on people’s lives. Before a person came to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit came alongside them to convict them of sin and their need for Jesus Christ. Before Christ, they lacked conviction and felt free to party, drink, do drugs and have sex; but when someone witnessed to them, they began to have conviction. They began to feel guilt. This is beneficial because the Spirit’s conviction helps them to see their need for Christ; otherwise, their heart grows hardened like a rock––impenetrable.
Remember, the Bible tells us in John 16:7-11, that the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, righteousness and judgment. Do you remember the first time you were told about Jesus Christ? You were never the same because you felt guilt and shame. Conviction leads you to the Cross, to repentance. Once that happens, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within your life (John 14:17). God’s Spirit gives you dunamis power to live the Christian life. Now energized with His power, you live a dynamic life.
I believe, it is easy to live the Christian life with your brothers and sisters in Christ; but the hardest part is living your life for Christ among your coworkers at your job, living at home, or attending school or college where you feel the pressures of life. That is where your Christianity counts.
We must return to New Testament Christianity, not in creed only but in complete manner of life as well. Separation, obedience, humility, simplicity, gravity, self-control, modesty, cross-bearing: these all must again be made a living part of the total Christian concept and be carried out in everyday conduct.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
