Introduction
In our previous message, we began to unfold the reason Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth—one who uncovers lies and reveals God’s truth to mankind.
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 NLT
Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit, whom He would send after His departure, would work expressly in believers by revealing His truth. Remember, Jesus’ truth is also God’s truth—we have one unified message to preach and live by. This Truth is the one that truly sets us free.
“He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ John 16:14-15 NLT
The Threefold Conviction of the Holy Spirit
Before His departure, Jesus revealed three significant truths the Holy Spirit would expose upon His coming—truths that confront the world’s misunderstanding of Him, its failure to live by Him, and its neglect of His unending power in love. This is why Jesus said:
And when he comes, he will expose sin and prove that the world is wrong about God’s righteousness and his judgments. ‘Sin,’ because they refuse to believe in who I am. ‘God’s righteousness,’ because I’m going back to join the Father and you’ll see me no longer. ‘And judgment’ because the ruler of this dark world has already received his sentence.” John 16:8-11 TPT
These truths—sin, righteousness, and judgment—are revealed by the Spirit through His sons. The world may not understand because they do not know the Father or Jesus Himself:
This is because they have never known the Father or me.” John 16:3 NLT
This highlights the vital necessity for us to be born of God.
Understanding Sin: The Root of Sin
The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. John 16:9 NLT
Unbelief is the pioneer of all sin. Notice the term "sin" is singular, signifying the root rather than multiple sins. The world often perceives sin as numerous acts, but fundamentally, sin’s poisonous root is unbelief. This is why God uses powerful methods to expose it—sending Christ to atone for sin, and the Holy Spirit to convict the unbelief that breeds it.
Two important truths emerge here:
- Unbelief is the root of sin. (John 3:16)
- To believe is the root of faith. (Hebrews 11:6)
Righteousness: God’s Standard
Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.” John 16:10 NLT
The only ones who ascend to the Father are those who meet God’s holy standard. God never lowers His standard of holiness for any reason.
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.’” 2 Timothy 2:19 NLT
Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. Psalms 24:3-4 NLT
The world errs in thinking righteousness comes by human effort which contradicts Jesus' way of righteousness which is solely rooted in believing in Him only because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
The Holy Spirit reveals through the sons of God that righteousness is found in Christ, not in law-keeping.
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:24 NLT
We can confidently claim heaven as our home by relying on the unending grace that Jesus provides.
Judgment: The Certainty of Judgment
About judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.” John 16:11 AMP
God’s judgment is certain. Satan’s condemnation serves as a warning to all who deny the power of the gospel and reject the truth. This is why Satan intensifies his efforts to recruit followers before the final judgment.
The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:31-32 NLT
Judgment purges all opposition so that only Christ remains. Judgement is also a fulfillment of Gods’ promise that declares:
Sit by my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110:1 NLT
We stand confident, not on the enemy’s side, but firm in Christ.
Furthermore, Satan is defeated and has no power over the children of God:
I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me.” John 14:30 NLT
The Holy Spirit leads us into the victory prepared by Jesus Christ. Living by the Spirit assures us dominion over the ruler of this world, and that we will not share in the judgment pronounced on him.
Conclusion:
We have the assurance that when we believe in Him, His Spirit empowers us to overcome the barriers of sin, which is the enemy of God.
This same Spirit enables us to meet God’s standard of holiness, assuring us of our heavenly home.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit grants us victory over Satan and his schemes, giving us the confidence that we will not partake in the judgment reserved for him—the eternal hellfire.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 NIV
Let us, therefore, walk in the Spirit daily, relying on His power to keep us steadfast in faith, holiness, and victory, knowing that through Him we have the sure promise of eternal life and triumph over all the forces of darkness.
Please read our previous release on this series.
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