"And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin" John 16:8-9
There is a pattern that people follow on their way to getting right with God. Jesus told the disciples that the Father would the Helper, the Holy Spirit with the expressed purpose of bringing conviction of sin in the hearts of men and women. When conviction comes two things can happen. One, the person can reject that conviction and go on their way, lost, accusing God of being a liar who has convicted them of the sin and deceiving themselves. Two, the person can yield to that conviction, confessing that they are guilty, and repenting. Turning away from the sin and turning toward God who forgives.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10
A couple of examples that come to mind, King David and the Prodigal Son. King David sinned with Bathsheba and was confronted by the Prophet Nathan - God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament. David came under conviction of his sin, confessed before God and repented. God brought restoration.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise." - Psalm 51:10-17
The son had sinned, came under conviction, confessed to his father and repented. His father restored him. Do you see the tread.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry." - Luke 15:20-24
Don't be satisfied with having sin harbored in your heart. Don't you see that it separates you from intimacy with the Father. You are still a son or daughter - but God desires to walk in the Garden with you. To do that, you must have a clean heart.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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