THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE AGENT IN CONVERSION-Part 2

John 3;14-21

Last time we saw, that The Lord said, that His departure was for their advantage.

Now, Get this truth; WE SHOULDN'T BE HASTY AT ACCEPTING THINGS AT FIRST
SIGHT.
Expediency implies suitability of action to circumstances, and of means, to accomplish an end, that end being what seemed meet unto Christ.

Man recognizes the meaning of the Word, and thinks, he acts upon it;
but, being evil, he often forgets moral principles.
He is so ignorant, that he chooses wrong means.

But, there are no mistakes with God. You see, absolute righteousness is in Him; He does right, with right motives, in the right way, and at the right time.
He sees The End from The Beginning.

Christ sent Another Comforter, for the disciples' advantage. The Subjective Spirit gives a clear understanding, of The Objective Christ.
As it was with them, so it is, with us Today.

Now, I ask you, Is Holy Spirit conviction, to be interpreted, as referring both to The Elect, and The Reprobate/

If we view, John 16;8-11, as belonging to The Elect, in the work of their conversion, not regeneration, the words contain the method of bringing about this work. The Holy Spirit is said, to accomplish three things;
[1] He convinces of Sin. [The Sin Nature, and its actions].
How does the Spirit do this/ By revealing to those, who possess the Spirit, their total depravity.

The Holy Spirit is the immediate cause, of this conviction. Without His influenced, we may hear
The Law Preached, all our lives, and not once, be affected by It.
Romans 7;9-11--''For I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.''

The Holy Spirit causes God's Word, to come to the regenerated person, and The Word effectively enters the very center and heart, of his life.

The One, who hears that call of The Gospel, is often heard to say, ''That was preached directly, at me''. Instead of becoming angry, he feels deep shame and remorse.

Now, Get this truth; Only The Spirit of Regeneration can convince. Conscience can't. Public opinion can't, and The Mosaic Law can never bring Divine Conviction.
But The Spirit's Application of The Word can.

[2] The Holy Spirit convinces of righteousness, I.E. Christ's Righteousness. His Righteousness includes both that of His Person, and His Work.

Now, notice, The Order of The Spirit's Work. There must be a righteousness, since we are accountable, to A Righteous God.

No unclean thing can ever come into Heaven; thus, we must be made righteous, in The
Righteousness of Christ.
This Righteousness is revealed, to the regenerated person, by the indwelling Spirit.

Now, Get this truth; NO ONE WILL EVER DESIRE RIGHTEOUSNESS, UNTIL HE IS
CONVINCED OF SIN.
One may acknowledge some fruit of sin, while being ignorant of sin's root. The unregenerate have a false view of righteousness.

But, The One, Who has been regenerated, embraces The Biblical view of Righteousness, imputed in Justification, and imparted in Sanctification.

[3] The Spirit convinces of Judgment. He convicts of judgment in Religion, with the object, or, with things employed.

All judgment is committed to Jesus Christ.
The Prince of this world has been judged-John 12;31-33-[Turned].

Sin is conquered, and shall pass away.

God's Judgment is Righteous--Rom. 2;3-[Turn].

But don't forget, that Conviction is the fruit of Regeneration.

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