TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
John 8:1-11
Acts 2:37-42

“… but I hope in thy word.”

THE SPIRIT CONVICTING

Of ourselves we could never be truly convicted of our wretched condition, for “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer 17:9). Until we have been purged and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, our hearts are foul and filthy, putrid and loathsome. And yet, left to our own conceits, we might pride ourselves for being “morally solid citizens,” at least a shade better than the man across the street. So the Pharisee praised his own goodness (Luke 18:11). To such as he, our Lord would say, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

Thank God for the Holy Spirit who alone can tear down our external facade of morality, like “whited sepulchres” outwardly beautiful, “but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matt 23:27). Thank God that His Spirit in mercy condescended to come to me, and open my eyes to see my sinful state. Then beholding, I cried, “Have mercy upon me… For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me…” (Ps 51:1, 3). Read David’s words in Psalm 32:3-4 describing the experience of the sinner under conviction.

Not by my sense of shame and morality did I come to see my own wretchedness, but it was by the exceeding greatness of the Spirit’s power that my eyes were opened and my mind was fixed upon the hideousness of my sin within. It is God’s Spirit that revealed to me my pride and self-importance, my rebellion and enmity against God, my careless breaking of His holy law. It is God’s Spirit that points out the multitude of my sins and makes me realize that all my thoughts, desires and imaginations are corrupt, perverse and hateful; even my “good works” appear as “filthy rags.”

O the amazing grace of the Holy Spirit that He should in mercy reach down to me in my vile condition to convict me of my sin, and to point me to the Saviour. Thanksgiving, honour and praise be for ever given unto God the Spirit for leading me to God the Son.

THOUGHT: Conviction in hell? Too late!
PRAYER: O, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.