The moment of our conversion is usually the end of a chain of circumstances or contacts. We may have been spoken to by various friends or loved ones. Perhaps we had attended several services where we heard the Gospel preached. Then we came to the place where we turned to Christ and found salvation in Him. Behind those contacts is the Holy Spirit seeking to win us for Christ. He does this through His work of conviction which Christ spoke about in verses 8-9 of our reading today. What is this work of conviction? The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts along two lines. First He emphasises our own sin, our standing before God because of our human nature. He helps us to see how God looks at us outside of Christ, how we are separated from Him. As believers we often pray for unbelievers, loved ones, and friends. If we have the opportunity we may speak to them about Christ, but the only one who can bring conviction to their hearts is the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we have to simply leave this with Him and not interfere. He can do it, in His own time and way, but our prayer for these people must continue. The Holy Spirit does not only speak of sin. He does not leave it there but points clearly to the One who can meet our need, Jesus Christ, our Saviour. He may say, "You know you are a sinner and you yourself cannot do anything about it. But Jesus Christ can. Why don't you let Him into your life to meet your need?" When we accept what the Holy Spirit is saying and open our hearts to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes in at that moment and from then on lives within us. He makes us a member of the body of Christ and then commences His work of developing the character of Christ within us. He wants the world to know what has happened to us. Where is He for you today? Within your heart and life or outside still speaking to you about your need? |
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