Jul 11
16
He puts us in our right place!
(J. C. Ryle, “Having the Spirit“)
“When He comes, He will convict the world about
sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)
All who have the Spirit are convinced by Him of sin.
He alone can open a man’s eyes to the real extent of
his guilt and corruption before God. He always does
this when He comes into the soul. He puts us in our
right place! He shows us the vileness of our own hearts,
and makes us cry with the publican, “God be merciful to
me a sinner!” He pulls down those proud, self-righteous,
self-justifying notions with which we are all born–and
makes us feel as we ought to feel–”I am a sinful man,
and I deserve to be in hell!”
Sin is no more pleasant to those who are taught by the
Spirit. It is their sorrow when tempted by it. It is their
shame when they are overtaken by it. Their desire is to
be free from it altogether. Their happiest times are when
they are enabled to walk most closely with God. Their
saddest times are when they are furthest off from Him.
“When He comes, He will convict the world about
sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)