By David ReayThursday 12 Mar 2020LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (NLT)
There is an old saying which comments that the Holy Spirit has come to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed. Which neatly sums up the contrast between two words which may cause problems for followers of Jesus.
One word is conviction. This happens when the Holy Spirit of God taps us on the shoulder or sometimes kicks us in the pants reminding us we are on the wrong track. When we get comfortable in our waywardness or don’t even consider our disobedience, he alerts us to it. He disturbs us.
This is healthy because it drives us into the arms of God’s grace and mercy. Conviction disturbs us but only in order for us to rush to Jesus for comfort. Conviction lets us know how we have gone wrong, but reminds us it can be put right.
Condemnation is the other word. Whereas conviction causes us to seek grace and thus find hope, condemnation leaves us crushed. Conviction results in true moral guilt but also points to a remedy for it. Condemnation has us buried in the pit of hopeless shame. Conviction comes from a loving yet holy God who longs to embrace us. Condemnation comes from the evil one who longs to destroy us.
And those who feel disturbed by condemnation need the comfort of the Spirit reminding them that failing God is not the end for us, but the opportunity for a new beginning.
Blessings
David