Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Is the Holy Spirit our Friend? You say, Yes, of course; but think: Jesus says that His first work is to "convict the world of sin" (John 16:8). Is that pleasant? The doctor does a scientific test and convinces you that you have a lethal disease. You "feel" okay and it hasn't worried you, but he says you must do something drastic. Is the doctor your "friend"? Now suppose he has many, many patients all with a lethal disease they don't want to recognize; and suppose they all reject his counsel to do something, even though he is genuinely their friend. That would make him disappointed, unhappy. Is it possible that a patient is concerned for the reputation or happiness of his physician? Patients are generally concerned with their own health; few make appointments to ask how the doctor is, and give him medical advice. The Good News is that the Holy Spirit is "reproving" or "convicting" "the world of sin." The Bad News is that most who need help (His "patients") reject His reproofs and convictions of sin, so that Satan hopes that in the end the Holy Spirit will be proven a failure. Satan's last hope is that "the people of God" will reject His reproof and be involved in the general ruin coming on the earth.
There's a better reason to listen to the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. He is Christ's Vicar; His job is to "convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," the latter because "the ruler of this world is judged [condemned]" (John 16:8-11). In listening, in receiving His reproof, in giving up the sin He convicts you of, you honor Christ in this last battle of the millennia-long great controversy. The Holy Spirit is your Friend; now be a friend to Him also. Thank Him for His work.
--Robert J. Wieland From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 18, 2001. Copyright © 2014 by "Dial Daily Bread."
