Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Convicted of Sin
Digging for Truth: Many people want to talk about the emotional manifestations of the Spirit—things like peace, holy laughter, love, wisdom, speaking in tongues, but those things, although really wonderful, pale in comparison to the real work of the Spirit which is to convict God’s children of the sin of unbelief in order to bring righteousness. When we do not honor what Jesus came to do in our lives, it is the sin of unbelief. Believers listen to the Helper and grow spiritually mature in Christ’s character.
This past week we have been looking at how the Helper provides grace for every day living; things like protection, stirring our remembrance of God’s Word, establishing new desires and healing us from bad habits and he does so by convicting or convincing us of error or sin, as well as empowering us to make better choices. The Helper can be very persuasive as he opens our ears to hear God’s words of affirmation, instruction, and discipline.
Grace for the Heart: When I was in my thirties I had an encounter with the Spirit of God that left me forever changed. One day I was praying and crying out to God, because I was physically very ill and had been so for about one year. As I was praying, I felt like an electrical charge ran through my body and I was filled with an amazing sense of lingering peace. An inward voice, although not audible in my physical ear, spoke a question, “Do you know it is me?” I answered aloud, “Yes!” My Spirit recognized the Voice and authority of my Helper. Up until that time, I knew about the Spirit, but I did not understand the indescribable blessing he would become in my life as he opened my eyes to see and my ears to hear the Truth.
Sometimes people can get so focused on the emotional manifestations of the Spirit, they spend all their energy going from one encounter to another like a spiritual high was the best of the Spirit’s work. True, there is nothing like having an awareness of God’s presence in us or tasting his anointed power, but life with God is not all warm and fuzzy; God has serious work to do in our lives and disciplining our character is part of his plan. Do you believe?
John 16:7-9 NLT 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
Challenge: The Helper convicts us because sin keeps us bound from the things of God—so he comes to free us. Unbelief and disobedience keeps us enslaved; it quickly takes dominion. No matter what sin or unbelief tries to rob us, we must trust the Helper to deliver us. He is all powerful for those who believe.
Prayer: Lord, to know you is to trust you to do the things in us that we cannot do for ourselves. We thank you for the convicting and convincing work of the Spirit who leads us toward the Truth of Christ and all he desires to bring our lives. Sometimes we are enslaved to things we do not even realize, so please liberate us Holy Spirit and draw us closer to righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.