The world, under the sway of the powers of darkness of Satan, tries very hard to entrap and confine us in bondage so we will not enjoy the liberties of God’s grace and freedoms of life in God. The power of light of the Kingdom of God, however, is able to pierce through the darkness and reveal all truth—which liberates the soul by setting the conscience free of lies that bind and blind us.
RELEVANCE
Conviction truly is a grace gift of the love of God found in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth of God’s righteousness in Christ, and in turn, convicts and judges the world of its lies! Therefore, there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). In Christ, we are given the gift of discernment to acknowledge truth and identify falsehoods. The truth brings peace to our conscience and sets us free from condemnation. Jesus meant for you to experience the grace of conviction.
“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:5-11).
The apostle Paul encouraged believers to receive this precious gift. He understood that things like pride and believing falsehoods sear the conscience, preventing us from receiving God’s grace—which sets you free from guilt, condemnation and shame. He, therefore, encouraged believers to embrace truth, which frees the conscience to receive and process God’s grace through the Holy Spirit.
“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
REFLECT AND RELATE
The issues of life always relate to truth vs. falsehoods. Ask God to reveal truth. Embrace truth. Its fruit is freedom in Christ.
REFERENCES
Romans 8:1-11