Today’s Daily Light

Continuing…The Search For Significance, by R. McGee

Con’t with     Guilt Versus Conviction

The Bible frequently speaks of the Holy Spirit’s work to convict believers of sin.  He directs and encourages our spiritual progress by revealing our sins in contrast to the holiness and purity of Christ.  Although the Holy Spirit convicts both believers and unbelievers of sin (John 16:8), His conviction of believers is not intended to produce pangs of guilt.  Our status and self-worth are secure by the grace of God, and we are no longer guilty.  Conviction deals with our behavior, not our status before God.  Conviction is the Holy Spirit’s way of showing the error of our performance in light of God’s standard and truth.  His motivation is love, correction, and protection.

While guilt is applicable to nonbelievers and originates from Satan, conviction is the privilege of those who believe, and it is given by the Holy Spirit.  Guit brings depression and despair, but conviction enables us to realize the beauty of God’s forgiveness and to experience His love and power.

It is important to affirm our righteousness in Christ as well as to confess our sins.  God does not need to be reminded of our right standing in Him, (based on our position in Christ) but we do.  Therefore, we need to make the following prayer a daily experience and allow it to pervade our thoughts and hearts.  As we yield to the gentle prodding of God-given conviction, confess our sins, and affirm our true relationship with Him, we will be gradually shaped and molded in such a say that we will increasingly honor the one who died and rose again on our behalf…. 2 Corinthians 5:15, And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

And here is the prayer that we should learn to pray:  Dear Lord Jesus… You have made me complete and have given me the righteousness of Christ, even though my performance often falls short.  Lord, I confess my sins to You (list them, be specific.)  I agree with You that these things are wrong. I also agree that they have been/are destructive in my life.  Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness.  Is there anything I need to return, anyone I need to repay, or anyone I need to apologize to?  Thank You.