Today, focus is on language describing the sinner’s standing as a new creation of GOD through the Holy Spirit. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers (Philippines)” using the ID “Adam” (Level 1 with 121 points, a member since April 26, 2017) posted the following:
What does it mean to be convicted/convinced by the Holy Spirit?
Thoughts? Scripture?
Thanks in advance!
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3: 5-15, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Genuine Spiritual Discernment? (03/27/2017); The Complete Divine Revelation? (03/10/2017); Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Convicted By His Humility (09/10/2015); American Culture and Law? (07/13/2015); Meanings That Support Eternal Existence? (06/02/2015); How To Have Conviction (11/24/2012); A Text for Lives Today? (11/25/2012)
“Adam”, here are some points I can share as a Christian believer. A sinner must eventually become aware of and realize the active presence of divine substance within their own life such as faith, forbearance, forgiveness, holiness, hope, joy, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Sacred knowledge and discernment (ability to apply ones own spirit content from the makeup of GOD as a standard to recognize and respond to deposits of the same spirit matter within events, oneself, other persons, utterances, etc.) can be gained through contemplation and prayer, fellowship with other believers, regular study of the holy writings, and observance of spiritual practices (we say, “sacraments” such as baptism, confession, the Lord’s Supper).
The language that one is “convinced” actually speaks to becoming “persuaded”, and therefore suggests that the process of the Holy Spirit relies on the finite human tools of academic argument, debate, intelligence, logic, carnal reason, and critical thinking. More correctly understood, there are operations of GOD performed through the covenant relationship established by Christ, and the “battle” is not for the mind, rather it is for the self-will to conform to the divine will.
The language that one is “convicted” speaks to acknowledging ones own immersion within a divine process of judgment against sin that already has been concluded. Mature believers understand all mankind is guilty before GOD, is now sentenced to death, and is both required to complete mortality and endure an ongoing examination for final destruction in a second death. Only by atonement and the many provisions of GOD in Christ does the guilty sinner become transformed to exist having “eternal life” as a companion to immortal, incorruptible, invisible divinity. Consider again the following using language from the Bible:
(1.) Ezekiel 18: 19-21, King James Version (KJV): 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(2.) 2nd Corinthians 1: 9-10, KJV: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
(3.) Romans 5: 6-9, KJV: 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
(4.) Romans 5: 17-21, KJV: 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(5.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (6.) Revelation 21: 7-8, KJV: 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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