WHY THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS SENT?

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:  for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you,”                                         John 16:7

hen Christ speaks of going away in this passage, it is not only a reference to His return to heaven, but first of all His going to the cross, John 14:3.  His death on the cross to make an end of sin and bring in everlasting righteousness for His people was absolutely essential BEFORE returning to heaven and sending the Spirit into the world.   It is a fact that the Lord Jesus DID finish the work of salvation, putting away sin by His obedience unto death, and reconciling every one of the elect unto the Father by it, Romans 5:10. The Father simultaneously HAS already imputed righteousness to the account of every sinner for whom our Lord died. How do we know?  THE SPIRIT HAS COME as Christ said He would, and testifies to the hearts of the redeemed that the Lord Jesus PAID IT ALL, 16:13-15.  Christ Himself said that the Spirit could not come without His vicarious sacrifice first.  Therefore, His departing to the Father, through His death, burial, resurrection and ascension reveals plainly that He did what He said He would do, and salvation was accomplished there for His people.  What a comfort to know that IT IS FINISHED by a just satisfaction of a holy God!                                                                                                                            KEN WIMER

WHY THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS SENT

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:  for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you,”                               John 16:7

hen Christ speaks of going away in this passage, it is not only a reference to His return to heaven, but first of all His going to the cross, John 14:3.  His death on the cross to make an end of sin and bring in everlasting righteousness for His people was absolutely essential BEFORE returning to heaven and sending the Spirit into the world.     It is a fact that the Lord Jesus DID finish the work of salvation, putting away sin by His obedience unto death, and reconciling every one of the elect unto the Father by it, Romans 5:10. The Father simultaneously HAS already imputed righteousness to the account of every sinner for whom our Lord died. How do we know?  THE SPIRIT HAS COME as Christ said He would, and testifies to the hearts of the redeemed that the Lord Jesus PAID IT ALL, 16:13-15.    What a comfort to be so taught of the Spirit of God to know that IT IS FINISHED by a just satisfaction of a holy God, through the death of the Lord Jesus!       KEN WIMER

THE CONVICTING WORK OF THE SPIRIT

f God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, someone MUST believe. THAT’S THE SPIRIT’S WORK.  Believe what?  Believe on him, John 3:16.   In Jn. 16:7-11, we see a two-fold work of the Spirit in the world: to reprove (bring charges against) the world regarding sin, righteousness and judgment, Jn. 16:8, but also to clearly reveal these in the elect of God, Jn. 16:13. 

·            Sin: What specific sin? Unbelief. (V9) “Because they believe not on me” On what do they believe? He will convince his people of idolatry. That’s what we all are by nature and practice.

·            Righteousness: What righteousness? “Because I go to my father,” How is it that Christ arose from the dead? By having satisfied Law and justice and establishing the only righteousness whereby God is enabled to be just and justify the ungodly. That righteousness alone!

·            Judgment: What judgment? “Because the prince of this world is judged.” Jesus has established righteousness, which denies Satan’s claim against God’s people. Satan stands to accuse the brethren but Christ pleads his righteousness for us at the bar of Gods justice. This work of Christ crushed the serpent’s head and rendered him ineffective against all the heirs of grace. Christ alone holds authority over his kingdom.

Where God’s children were once the children of disobedience they are now “obedient to the faith.” They “walk according to this rule: God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Holy Spirit’s work is to convince the justified sinner that Christ’s righteousness imputed is the standard of judgment by which the whole world will be judged.  Every thing the Spirit communicates to the sinner is the fruit and results of Christ’s work for the sinner. This revelation forms no part of the ground of saving him, keeping him saved or recommending him to God in any way. His work is to reveal (confirm) in sinners that Christ has done all that needs to be done for sinners, John 16:12-15

WINSTON PANNELL, ALBANY, GA