Originally posted by Ironside:
Conviction of sin
One of the main differences between a genuine believer and a
spurious convert are those words up there. Conviction of sin. Every
true and bona fide conversion has passed through this highway once
in their lives. Yup, you got it. No conversion is genuine unless
there is no conviction of sin. It is a state wherein one realizes
the blackness of sin and of his being a sinner worthy of judgment
before the bar of Gods justice, one who is unable totally to do
anything for his salvation and righteousness.
Anytime you see are person like that your seeing a humble man. You
see a man that is crying out to God saying something like
this:
Lu 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so
much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying,
[b]God, be merciful to me a sinner!
He cried out for mercy because he saw himself for who he really is:
a sinner worthy of judgment. He did not say I am good enough
I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers,
or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes
of all that I possess.
Words of a spiritually humble [or humbled] man isnt it? What do
you think God will do to such a man?
Lu 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified [declared righteous or saved] rather than the
other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted."
A man under the conviction of sin sees his total inability to
produce in himself perfect righteousness, sees his total inability
to save himself. What he does then is to look for someone outside
himself to save him. "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" the
Philippian jailor cries.
He saw the blackness of sin alright, he saw the imminent impending
danger of his soul before the bar of Gods justice, he saw his
inability to save himself. He finally saw his need of salvation. He
owned up his lost state. He humbled himself. And so he cries:
Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Again words of a spiritually humble [or humbled] man. Again, what
is the divine principle with regards to matters like these?
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles
himself will be exalted.
What happened next was that God opened his eyes to the
righteousness of Christ, the gospel of Christ for his lack. And he
got saved.
Ac 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who
were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their
stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before
them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his
household.
Conviction of sin is actually just when a man sees his utter
helplessness with regards to salvation and righteousness, sees
himself for who he really is; a spiritually sick man in need of a
spiritual doctor Jesus Christ. Show me a man who went through this
state I will show you a man who finds Christ Jesus [the remedy and
medicine for his state] precious.
1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible
things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by
tradition from your fathers,
1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ,
as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Peter was able to described the blood of Christ as precious because
he saw himself a spiritually sick man with no other remedy but the
work of Christ on the cross.
Before I am one who has prayed the sinners prayer more than a
thousand times already but I did not find the gospel precious. I
always found myself backsliding. Easily discouraged when bad things
happened. I still could not understand why salvation must be by
faith alone. I thought I was a Christian because I have said the
prayer and all that but deep within me I was still trusting in my
works and not in Christ alone. I never saw my need of an
atonement.
It was when I finally saw my real condition before God It was whn I
saw myself spiritually lost, totally unable to mark up my
righteousness and salvation that I understood and found sooooooooo
precious the gospel of Christ.
To the one who has not yet understood the gospel and why salvation
must be by faith alone: why dont you call on God to show you of
your utter helplessness and total inability with regards to
righteousness and salvation. It is God who does the work of
conviction of sin.
Joh 16:8 "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin,
and of righteousness, and of judgment:
[/b]
Amen. Justification by faith & faith alone in the blood of
Jesus Christ.
