Biblical Conviction and Repentance:2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

CONVICTION AND REPENTANCE

Conviction of sin is God's Way of Inviting you to Restore Fellowship with Him!

We have noted the attitude of unbelievers in God Himself, and, therefore, unbelief in His works of grace. When the unbeliever hears the GOSPEL, there will be a response. He may either reject or accept the message. However, the response is usually not that simple. There will be an inward reaction, though he may conceal it. The GOSPEL is the message of “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Incidentally, this was Paul’s “specialty”—and it should be ours. The unbeliever truly “hears” the gospel in the inner man, he will see that he is counted a sinner against One who so loved him that He took his place in judgment. If he cares, he will experience a sense of guilt. If he confesses that guilt, he may feel a desire to change his ways. If so, he will want to know what he must do. But remember, even though he may have ever so great an urge, he may resist it until it departs.

 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles. Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent,…” (Acts 2:3 7, 38).

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, [Jesus] except the Father which hath sent me draw him...

I. WHAT IS CONVICTION? (John 6:44)

Conviction is a sense of guilt as a sinner under the condemnation of eternal death, produced by the Holy Ghost in the heart and conscience. It is a revelation of the righteous judg­ment of God that has been upon all men since Adam’s fall. Paul explains: “Therefore, as by the offence [trans­gression] of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Christ] the free gift [redemption by grace] came upon all men unto jus­tification of life” (Rom. 5:1 8, 19). According to the truth above, when Peter preached his first “gospel sermon” on the Day of Pen­tecost, the people were “pricked in their heart;” that is, they were con­victed by the Holy Ghost and imme­diately wanted to know what to do. Peter’s answer was, “REPENT,” and 3000 souls took him at his word. Without first being convicted, they would not have believed. This is God’s divine method, according to Jesus in John 6:44.

John 16:8

8 And when he [the Holy Ghost] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment

II. CONVICTION BY THE HOLY GHOST (John 16:8)

The original word for “reprove” in John 16:8 means “convict;” perhaps conviction to the point of convincing. Jesus indicates that the Holy Ghost will be present wherever the true gospel is preached, and that “He WILL re­prove,” or convict. Then the one con­victed is responsible for the proper reaction: (1) The Holy Ghost will con­vict any sinner in the world of his sin of not believing on Christ. Unbelief is the cardinal sin. (2) Then He will con­vict him of unrighteousness; that is, of the truth that the all-righteous God laid the sinner’s unrighteousness upon His Son in order that God’s righteousness; might be imputed to the unworthy. (More on this under “Justification,” Next post ) He will convict the sin­ner of judgment; that is the sinner’s coming judgment was settled when Christ took his place, and the unbe­lieving sinner was judged of its “prince,” the devil. Thus, full redemp­tion is revealed by the Holy Ghost’s conviction.

Incidentally, there is no contra­diction in the three different refer­ences to conviction: Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father.. .draw [convict] him:” (John 6:44). (2) “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me” (John 1 2:32). (3) “He [the Holy Ghost]...will reprove [convict]...of sin” (John 16:8). The Holy Trinity is full harmony in all things.

 2 Corinthians 7:10

10 For godly sorrow worketh re­pentance to salvation not to be re­pented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

III. WHAT IS REPENTANCE? (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Repentance is the confessing and forsaking of one’s sins; turning right-about-face from Satan unto God. It is brought about by Holy Ghost con­viction, which produces godly sor­row for offending a holy God of love. Upon heart-confession and repen­tance, the penitent one experiences God’s forgiveness. Paul says, “In whom [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14).

 Luke 13:3

3 ...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

IV. ALL MUST REPENT (Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9)

All must repent because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom. 3:23). Peter tells us that God does not want any soul to perish, or be lost; but it is His will that “all should come to repentance.” Jesus emphatically states that “except ye repent, ye shall all...perish.”

           

It must be emphasized that the GOSPEL of Christ’s finished work on the cross must be preached so clearly that sinners can understand it suffi­ciently to respond when the Holy Ghost does His work of conviction. The Holy Ghost will not honor preaching that is not according to God’s truth. He is “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16, 17; 15:26; 16:13). It seems clear, from observation, that much preaching to sinners today does not qualify as the GOSPEL. We see professions made which bear no fruit of repentance. No change is evi­dent in the life. John the Baptist would not baptize any who did not bring forth “fruits meet for repentance” (Matt. 3:7, 8). Paul said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”(2 Corinthians 5:17). We may lament the fact that few sinners are being saved. Perhaps it is because the preaching or teaching does not merit Holy Ghost conviction. Also, we may be con­cerned because sinners do not attend our services. But why should God draw them to hear preaching which the Holy Ghost cannot honor with His conviction? The preaching of “easy grace” and “once-saved-al­ways-saved” is not “truth.” Sinners are done more harm than good when they are led to profess a salvation without true conviction and repen­tance. They are deceived and will be lost in the end!

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. May God through Christ bless you!

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