The Holy Spirit in you (Part Three)

Relationships that are built upon convictions will weather storms. A conviction is an unshakeable truth that guides you in life. It is bigger than your situation or circumstances. A conviction that is built upon the worth of a person will overcome adversity and pressures of life. Wedding vows are ideally convictions that a couple will exchange not just for the day but for life. Lasting relationships are usually relationships built upon convictions.


The Holy Spirit is the bearer of convictions about Jesus. His job is to help the believer grow in his relationship with Jesus. The convictions that He will both bear and bring all relate to what Jesus has done. By the way condemnation comes from what we have done but conviction that the Holy Spirit carries, comes from what Jesus has done. Jesus called Him the Helper. A helper never condemns; he always builds up. Jesus said "when He has come, He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement". (John 16: 8)


Sin is anything that draws people away from receiving the finished work of Christ, from building a relationship with Father God through Jesus the Son. The law was given to reveal our sin (our distance from God). In effect the law measures our failings. Trying to live under the law only shows up our inability to keep it. Its purpose is to bring people to the 'end of themselves', to empty themselves, to humble themselves. Jesus came to fulfil what we couldn't do for ourselves - even with our sense of 'goodness'. He didn't come to make things worse. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved". (John 3:17) He became sin for us.


Righteousness is the gift of God imputed to the believer. It cannot be earned or merited. "Through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men resulting in justification of life." (Rom.5:18) The Holy Spirit will show the believer that this state of being made right with God is 100% the gift of God. He will reveal how heaven sees the believer - not as a sinner but as a saint (a sanctified one). Notice that the apostle Paul never addressed believers as anything other than saints. The believer can declare "I am the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor.5:21)


Judgement is no longer charged against the believer. The original accuser, Satan is condemned. The believer is freed from all condemnation and is therefor free from judgement whose root is condemnation. The Holy Spirit will show the believer how free he is in Christ. No condemnation will manifest in no judgement. The extent to which this truth is received is also the extent to which we can refuse to judge ourselves as well as judging other people.


Jesus became sin for us. He imputes righteousness to us and took whatever judgement we deserved upon Himself. This is the finished work. The Holy Spirit will continue to download these convictions to us and through us so that all of our relationships can be enriched.












This blog is based on a message by Ross Smith at The Vine Church, Springwood, Logan City, Queensland, Australia on 15/02/15 called "The Holy Spirit in You - Part Three". The full message can be accessed by podcast from www.thevine.org.au/teaching.