Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The Lord Jesus told his disciples
that he was going away from them for a season, but would send
to them a comforter. He then described to them the
function of this comforter. And when he has come, he will
reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.
The manner in which he said that this comfort would come is quite
odd to fleshly reason. He said this comforter would
reprove the world of sin because they believe not on me. This
is indeed the greatest sin imaginable, nor can any ever be forgiven
for it. This is the sin against the Holy
Ghost. The Spirit of God testifies to the world that Jesus Christ
is the Savior of sinners. And yet men turn a deaf ear to
that witness because they are dead in trespasses and sin and
receive not a love of the truth that they might be saved. They
can blame no one but themselves for that they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They were none of my
counsel. They despised all my reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be
filled with their own devices. A man in the flesh cannot comprehend
how a reproof for sin could ever be a comfort. Yet every man who
has been born again and given a spirit of repentance welcomes
this reproof, falling upon his face, confessing his sin, though
his heart breaks within him, and the fear of the Almighty
overwhelms him. Open rebuke is better than secret
love. Faithful are the wounds of a
friend. So the work of the Spirit to reprove men of sin is a welcome
relief to the sons of God. And it is in this matter that
the Lord is pleased to minister comfort to them, as they are
made to hate the garment spotted by the flesh, as they cry out
with the Apostle Paul, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ
our Lord. He also said that this Comforter
would reprove the world of righteousness because I go to my Father and
you see me no more. The earthly ministry of the Lord
Jesus Christ was hidden from none. He went about daily doing
good unto men. The Spirit reproves the world
in testifying of His righteousness each time the gospel is preached.
Yet the very fact that he rose from the dead and ascended to
the right hand of the Father, where he ever lives to make intercession
for those who come unto God by him, is a reproof unto all who
doubt it. This same reproof which condemns
the scoffers is the basis of which the blessed hope for those
with like precious faith, testifying that it is not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. Then
he said that the comforter would reprove the world because the
prince of this world is judged. When the Lord Jesus went to Calvary's
cross, he destroyed the power of darkness and made manifest
his light to his elect who sat in that darkness. Those who worship
and serve the creature are rebuked by his work as he demonstrated
his dominion over this world and its God. Having spoiled principalities
and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. Primarily, the work of the Spirit
in the sons of God is to grant them repentance. Most people
think that repentance is merely synonymous with remorse or sorrow
over acts of sin, yet true repentance is much more than a simple expression
of regret. Repentance is a recognition of
what sin is. Sin is surely in men, but those
who have been given eyes to see recognize that they themselves
are sin. David confessed it in his prayer of repentance, saying,
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive
me. The work of the Spirit in his
people will produce not only a remorse for the acts of sin
which they have committed, but also a detestation of the very
principle of sin, which they freely confess controls their
flesh and would destroy them apart from the mercy of God.
Repentance is a recognition of the one true source of righteousness,
which is Jesus Christ the righteous. Righteousness is acceptance with
God. Even as the Father testified,
this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. There can
be no repentance except a man acknowledge this truth. Repentance
is a recognition of both the right and glory of Him who is
the Judge of heaven and earth, to judge all things according
to the standard which He has established. To declare, I say,
at this time His righteousness, that He might be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. The man who has never
feared the righteous judge has never been brought to see him
as he is. True repentance declares the
justification of God in condemning them. As Job says, though he
slay me, yet will I trust in him. Yet causes them to cast
themselves upon his mercy, believing in the sufficiency of the blood
of Christ. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.