Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:13:20 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 14); BP: Jn. 16:1-15; RBTTY: II Cor. 7; Prov. 19-21
September 14 “Our Convictor”
“And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness
and of judgment—of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness,
because I to go My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the
prince of this world is judged.”
John 16:8-11
His words may hurt, but they’re always for the purpose of healing and
wholeness.
When you hear the words “convict” and “reprove,” what comes to mind?
The first one (“convict”) depends on how you pronounce it. If you put the
accent on the first syllable, it brings to mind the picture of someone
who’ve broken the law and is incarcerated. If you place the emphasis on the
last syllable, it conjures up the image of a prosecuting attorney trying to
convince a jury that the accused is guilty. . .or the picture of someone
who’s inwardly wincing in pain because of charges being brought against his
conscience and conduct.
Likewise, when you read or hear the word “reprove,” no doubt a stern
picture of some type pops into your head: That of a teacher lecturing a
student for misconduct. . .a coach or drill sergeant “getting in the face”
of a player or recruit. . .a boss reprimanding an employee for being late,
etc.
Thus, it probably goes without saying, that we don’t really like either
one of these words. However, today’s Manna shows us that one role of the
Holy Spirit is to “reprove (Grk. ‘elegho’—‘admonish, confute, rebuke, tell a
fault, etc.’) the world of sin, the need of righteousness and judgment to
come.” Could it be that that’s one reason many a person doesn’t like going
to church on a regular basis? Could this be why some folks accuse the
preacher of “meddlin’” whenever he touches on a sensitive subject to them?
And, could this be why they stoned the prophets in Old Testament days and
nailed Jesus to the Cross—for it was easier to kill the messenger than it
was to hear and heed the message?
“Preacher, you’ve done gone to meddlin’!” someone shouts.
Is that right? So be it—for the Holy Spirit, God’s Convictor told me
to say it.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, it’s easy to shout “Amen!” when the preacher’s
preaching on “sins we’re agin’”—but, let him come down hard on sins like
gossiping, non-tithing, immorality, drunkenness, lack of faithfulness in
service, etc., and you’d think he’d committed the unpardonable sin!
That’s why we should thank God for faithful preachers and teachers who
“rightly divide the Word” (II Tim. 2:15) by boldly proclaiming what the Lord
says about “sin, the need for righteousness (holiness) and coming judgment.”
Without them, it’s difficult for the Holy Spirit to fulfill His role as
Convictor.
If we’d realize the word “convict” also means “convince,” we might look
at things a bit differently. When the Spirit pricks our conscience, He’s
calling us to confession and repentance—which always precedes a closer walk
with the Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
_________________________________________________________________
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