John 16:8-11

DISCOURSE: 1702
OFFICES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

IN judging of the dispensations of God’s providence or grace, we are extremely apt to err. Hence we often mourn for things, which, if we knew the end of them, would afford us occasion for joy. This was the case with the Disciples, who were dejected on account of their Lord’s approaching departure from them. To relieve their minds, our Lord not only promised them another Comforter, but told them for what ends and purposes that Comforter should come:

I. To “convince the world of sin”—

This office the Spirit executed among the Jews—
[The sin of rejecting Christ was that which the Spirit was more particularly to reveal to the world; and he discovered it fully by his miraculous operations on the Disciples [Note: Christ had rested, as it were, the whole credit of his Messiahship on this one point: consequently, the visible descent of the Spirit, accompanied with the miraculous gift of tongues, was such an attestation to Christ, as could not be doubted, and such a reproof to his murderers as could not be withstood.], and wrought an irresistible conviction of it by his gracious influences on the hearts of thousands.]

This office too he yet executes in the Christian Church—
[The external testimony which he gave, remains the same in all ages: the internal witness is given to those only whom “God has ordained to life.” To them the Spirit shews the number, the greatness, the malignity of their sins; and particularly, the guilt, and danger of that unbelief, in which they have ignorantly lain. This is the Spirit’s work; nor is it wrought in any, but by his almighty power [Note: Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 12:11.]

If he proceeded no farther, he would not be a Comforter; but it is his office also,

II.

To convince the world “of righteousness”—

This also was accomplished by him on his first descent from heaven—
[Christ, though professing himself the Saviour of the world, had been crucified as a malefactor. The Spirit therefore was to evince, both that Christ was a righteous person, and that through his righteousness others also might be saved. Accordingly, by his descent, the Spirit proved these things beyond a doubt. He shewed that Christ was accepted of the Father (which he would not have been, if he had been an impostor), and had finished all that was necessary for our salvation; seeing that, if any thing had remained to have been done on earth, he must have returned hither in order to complete it [Note: See the text.]. He moreover inclined, and enabled multitudes to believe on him for righteousness, whom they had just before reprobated as worthy of universal execration.]

And yet daily is he occupied in glorifying Christ among us—
[Whomsoever the Spirit convinces thoroughly of sin, he leads also to discoveries of Christ. He shews to the soul the suitableness and all—sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness to all those who trust in it [Note: ver. 14.], and leads them, with holy glorying, to say, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength [Note: Isaiah 45:24.].”]

He has yet further undertaken,

III.

To convince the world of judgment—

He shewed to the first Christians that Satan was a vanquished foe—
[By the descent of the Spirit it was manifest, that Christ had triumphed over sin and Satan, death and hell [Note: Ephesians 4:8; Colossians 2:15.]. By his gracious influences also, he rescued myriads from their power, and inspired them with an holy confidence, that they should finally prevail over all their spiritual enemies [Note: 2 Timothy 1:12.]

Thus at this day does he cause the weakest to exult over their fallen enemy—
[However active and malicious Satan is, his head is bruised [Note: Genesis 3:15.], his power is limited [Note: Revelation 2:10; 1 Peter 5:8.], his doom is fixed [Note: Romans 16:20.]. Of this the Holy Spirit assures the weak and trembling believer; and puts into his mouth, even in the midst of all his conflicts, that triumphant song [Note: Romans 8:38.]—]

Uses—
1.

Of conviction—

[All true Christians have received the Spirit for the ends and purposes for which he is here promised. In vain then will be our orthodoxy in sentiment, if we have not this evidence of our conversion to God [Note: Romans 8:9.]. Let us pray that the Spirit may be poured out upon us; and let our views of our guilt and weakness lead us to glory in Christ alone.]

2. Of consolation—

[Are we bowed down with a sense of sin? we may be sure that Christ has sent his Spirit to work that conviction in us; and that, if we be instant in prayer, he will, by the same Spirit, lead us also to a view of his righteousness. Are we ready to despond by reason of the power of sin? the resistance which the Holy Spirit has enabled us already to make to its dominion, is a pledge that “we shall be more than conquerors, through Him that loved us [Note: Romans 8:37.].” Let us only seek the Spirit as our Comforter, and we need regret no loss, no pain, no trouble, that may be the means of bringing him into our hearts.]