Today's Passage - John 16:8-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 16: 8-11   "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin , because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned."   The main work of the Holy Spirit enables us to recognize our own sin.  According to our human nature, it is unlikely for us to confess our sin.  Perhaps as Christians, you may say, "Thank you Lord! I confess I am a sinner."  But often times, we only confess that we were sinners in the past, and we even bear testimonies saying, "I was once lost, but now I am found."  Perhaps, we may be entangled by worldly entertainment, but now we are under the bondage of our spiritual pride instead.  We no longer can see the darkness in us nor can we feel the need for God unless we are illuminated by the Holy Spirit.     We often teach others saying, "If you were to be filled by the Holy Spirit, you need to empty and cleanse yourself first. " Without the work of the Holy Spirit, how do we know we need to empty ourselves?  Therefore, we need to welcome the work of the Holy Spirit first; when this happens, we can then see the short comings within us.     As recorded here, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict us of our sin, righteousness and judgment; in regard to sin because we do not believe in Him as it is clearly stated in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."  When a sinner believes in the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ, his sin is forgiven; but if he does not believe in the Lord, there is no hope for salvation, and this is the biggest sin of all. In this generation of non-believers, they do not believe in God's salvation; but for Christians who do not believe in the power and authority of believing in God; they   need to repent!     In regard to righteousness, it is because the Lord will return to the Father.  His death and resurrection is the proof that He is the only way and also the standard of righteousness.  No one can come to the Father except through Jesus.  When one encounters this sinless Savior who had resurrected from the dead, there is no denial that his righteousness is like an old rack of cloth, and he can no longer save himself.  To this generation of non-believers, they do not understand what God's righteousness is; but to the Christians who want to be righteous through their own effort, they need to repent!   In regard to judgment, this is because the prince of this world will be condemned in the end time.  When the Lord returns, Satan together with those who follow this world will be cast into the hell of fire for eternal judgment.  If we come to understand the horror of judgment, we would ask for God's mercy immediately. The non-believers of this age do not realize the horror of judgment, but some Christians neither show concern nor willingness to spread the gospel to the non-believers around us, instead just watch them marching toward this horrible judgment, so we must repent as well!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for when we were still sinners, you have saved us.   May the Lord forgive our sin so that we will have this new life following you and living in the light of your Holy Spirit.  With thanks we pray, in the name of our victorious Jesus, Amen!