Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The Lord said He would
send His Spirit to reprove the world of sin, righteousness,
and judgment. The Spirit of God bears testimony
against the sin of this world, as He shows the work of the law
written in the hearts of men. All men are therefore without
excuse before God, for even those who are not given the law of
God written in tablets of stone, nonetheless know right from wrong
and despise the rule of God over them, delighting in the lusts
of their flesh, and finding fault with those who would treat them
in the same fashion which they would treat others. Even thieves
grow angry when someone steals from them. He said his spirit
would reprove the world of righteousness because I go to my father and
you see me no more. Christ has openly displayed his
righteousness to the world, yet they cannot see it because of
the willing darkness which envelops their mind. His children, on
the other hand, rejoice in the revelation of His perfect righteousness,
both as a sinless man and as a substitute for sinners, paying
the debt of sin which His people owed. He imputes His righteousness
to them, and they are convicted by His Spirit of their own sinful
condition. and convinced of his completely
satisfactory solution to their dilemma of being enemies of God,
which is manifested by their own wicked works. They are ashamed
of their record, but rejoice in being reconciled unto God,
throwing down their arms of rebellion and falling at his feet in worship.
Though they see him not, yet they rejoice in the hope which
he has given them. He said his spirit would reprove
the world of judgment because the prince of this world is judged.
Notice that he says the prince of this world is judged. We're
not waiting to see his judgment because the Lord has already
manifested it in his triumphant calvary and the garden too. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. He did this as he blotted out the handwriting of
those ordinances which were against us. For as much then as the children
or the partakers of flesh and blood, he also likewise himself
took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that
had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them
who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage. Christ's absolute victory in securing the redemption of
that elect people for which he came to save has forever destroyed
the capability of Satan to harm one hair of the heads of those
for whom he suffered. He merely awaits his final torment
in the lake of fire to which he is appointed along with all
those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Satan
has been loosed on the earth for a season and goes about as
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But he cannot devour
even one of the weakest of those lambs for whom Christ has shed
his precious blood. Thus we see the Spirit's work
is given primarily for the benefit of those sons of God, the called
according to his purpose, as he worketh all things together
for their good. They are reproved daily as he
applies the word of God to their hearts and minds. All scripture
is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works. He teaches them of Christ, who
is their performer and righteousness. His work is seen in his gentle
rebukes, as their flesh wars against him in the form of pride.
He delivers them from self-righteousness, teaching them of their own weakness,
and in contrast, the source of their strength. As many as I
love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous, therefore, and repent.
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. When his spirit
is present, the Lord's people will be convicted of their sin.
When the adulterous woman was brought before the Lord, we read
that her accusers were convicted by their own conscience. This
was a natural conviction which did not result in true repentance,
akin to the sorrow which gripped Judas. It was a repentance to
be repented of. But when the spirit convicts
those whom he has given life, they are as Job after the whirlwind,
and Saul on the road to Damascus. They know themselves to be sinners
in dire need. The Spirit of Christ will convince
his people of the righteousness of that one whom he gives them
faith to believe. Saul of Tarsus, who once breathed
out threatenings and slaughters against the people of God, is
brought to confess, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Are you ashamed? For a free CD
containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email to
forthepoor at windstream.net.