Answers in God's Word

My weekend was interesting. If you read the last posting, you’ll have an idea. An exchange with the fellow continued into yesterday when I decided we weren’t going anyplace. I didn’t respond to his final emails.

Supposedly, it was about doctrinal correctness—but I felt it was also about expression. Some Christians react in a way that’s offensive to reserved people like Ken and myself—but they are valid and important to the Body of Christ. I can’t imagine how I’d have reacted to Ezekiel.

During my regular Bible reading I have a plan that seems hit and miss but isn’t. At any one time I’m reading from the Old and New Testaments as well as something from one of the poetry books—but not on the same day. Right now I’m in Genesis, Matthew and Psalms. On a busy day I’ll read a psalm, if I have time to think I’ll read from the New Testament, and often I’ll go to the Old Testament.

Well, when reading about Joseph, I saw something I’d not seen before. Joseph was probably a pain in the neck, strutting around in his colored coat, flaunting his favored position. Nevertheless, he was God’s anointed—the one who received God’s message. Because the brothers didn’t like the messenger, they got rid of him—and were left without God’s Word. Joseph went to Egypt with his word and his wisdom—and Egypt was blessed by his presence. The brothers were left without provision during a famine.

Of course, that begged the question. Was I rejecting God’s Word by rejecting this new voice in my life? Or would I be rejecting God’s Word if I agreed with him and rejected some of the ministries I currently appreciate—even if the package is sometimes disturbing?

I felt God gave me the answer this morning when I remembered some verses in John. “And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (Jn. 16:8-11 ESV)

The meaning of convict is closer to convince than condemn. When the Holy Spirit comes, He convinces us that we’re sinners—if we don’t accept Jesus' sacrifice which is the only sin than separates us from Him. We can deny our sin without so much as a glance unless we respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If a ministry bases its position on being “right” about everything, the danger is feeling smug over being right. A form of self-righteousness enters into one’s mindset. I know, I’ve been there.

When the Holy Spirit comes, He convinces us of God’s righteousness—Jesus is eternal with the Father, and His sacrifice is more than enough to atone or cover our sin. When He offers salvation, we turn to Him and not to our knowledge.

When the Holy Spirit comes, He convinces us of the judgment against Satan, the one who became a ruler when men fell into sin. Jesus won the victory. His and ours. We can’t do anything to help ourselves. We look to Him.

With that I feel I can close the issue, and I thought I’d share the Word that gave me peace.