The Conviction Of
Judgment
John 16:11
Looking upon my own heart, in the light of
God's Word, I am thoroughly convinced of my own depravity, quilt and sin before
God. I know that I deserve his infinite wrath. Looking upon that Man in heaven
who is God, who once was made to be sin for sinful man and is now freed from
sin, I am thoroughly convinced that his righteousness is infinitely meritorious
and sufficient to give all who trust him eternal, immutable acceptance with the
holy God. And looking upon Christ's conquest over satan
by his death upon the cursed tree, I am thoroughly convinced of judgment. This
is the work of the Holy Spirit. When he saves a sinner he convinces him of sin,
righteousness and judgment. This conviction of judgment is threefold.
GOD WILL JUDGE ALL SIN (Acts
GOD'S JUDGMENT OF MEN FOR SIN IS JUST. Sin
is more than an act. It is a principle of enmity against God in the heart of
every man. It is treason against the King of heaven and malice against our
Creator. It is an infinite evil. The goodness and justice of God demand that
wickedness be put out of the earth and that sinners be
punished with everlasting destruction (Psa. 11:4-7). Should God punish me
forever in hell, he is perfectly just to do so. Should he punish you forever in
hell, he is just. We deserve eternal damnation.
HOWEVER, FOR GOD'S ELECT JUDGMENT IS OVER!
The Lord God judged our sins in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He made his
dear Son to be sin for us and punished us for sin, to the full satisfaction of
justice in his darling Son. The proof that judgment is over for the believer is
the fact that Christ has taken satan into captivity,
delivering us from the fear of death (Heb.
If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
you have nothing to fear from God, his law, or his justice. Your sins are
forever forgiven. You have been made perfectly righteous in Christ. You are
complete in him. And for you judgment is over.
Don Fortner