Convicted!

SIN.

It’s oh-so-ugly.

And dark.

Always dark.

So dark that sometimes I can’t even see it.

And other times, I keep it dark on purpose…so others can’t see it.

Unless…

“Let there be light.”

God’s grace brings sin to light.

And yes, even though it often doesn’t feel like grace…it is.

Seeing our sin proves that God is working. Because you see, if Satan were allowed free rein, sin would always stay hidden.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

So about that word that we don’t like very much and avoid whenever we can…

Conviction.

It sounds a lot like guilt, doesn’t it? And like judgment, too. It certainly does for the criminal on trial.

And for a believer?

It’s the process by which the Holy Spirit reveals my sin. And that often doesn’t feel very enjoyable, does it?

It often feels much nicer to drift along, blissfully unaware of just how far I still fall short…

how frequently I fall…

how terribly often I resurrect my flesh.

But when I’m unaware of my sin, is that ignorance really bliss?

Or is it deception?

The author of Hebrews has something to say about this:

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (3:13)

Yes, sin is pleasurable. But only for a season.

And only for a purpose: to deceive you into staying in the dark.

And so when that conviction comes…

Don’t run from it. Don’t stifle it. Don’t try to ignore it. David did, and he experienced some uncomfortable results:

When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. (Psalm 32:3-4)

And what a contrast when he finally yielded to conviction!

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

Perhaps we would have a better attitude toward conviction if we had a better perspective of it.

Because conviction isn’t what puts us behind bars. It’s what frees us from them.

You see, conviction is actually an invitation. It’s God inviting you and me to leave the prison of sin and renew our unhindered fellowship with Him.

And so, when I experience conviction, I ought to get down on my knees and thank my God for His gift of grace that gives me a completely undeserved glimpse into the mind of a holy God.

And for the opportunity to change course.

For the insignia on my heart that I am His.

And not just belonging to Him, but also deeply loved by Him.

Because He loves me as I am, but He loves me too much to let me remain as I am.

Yes, dear friend. Let’s take on the mindset of gratitude and gladness when we see our sin. Let’s thank Him for the gift of grace that is conviction. And then let’s accept His invitation, confess and forsake our sin, and resume intimacy with our Savior.

 

Written by Jennifer Clarke