Topic: The Compassionate Prosecutor [Open Heavens 15 Thursday February 2018]
Memorise: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” –
John 16:8
Read: John 16:7-11 (KJV)
7 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.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 8-9; 1 Corinthians 2
MESSAGE
Looking at the title of today’s Bible study, you may begin to wonder how a person can prosecute a case and be compassionate at the same time. This is ironic because a prosecutor is expected to press the case for the law to have its full course. Who then is this prosecutor who manages to indict and show compassion all at once? The Lord Jesus Christ answers this question in today’s memory verse. The person He refers to is the Holy Spirit. Based on the revelation of the Lord, let us consider the three-pronged strategy by which the Holy Spirit carries out His assignment of prosecuting the world. Note first of all that it is compassion that motivates the Holy Spirit to prosecute the world while there is still time to make amends. A time will come when the whole world will stand before the throne of Christ to be judged of all their works (2 Corinthians 5:10). There will be no excuse permitted on that day, because the Compassionate Prosecutor would have already given each man a dress rehearsal of what will happen in heaven’s court.
The first of the Holy Spirit’s three-pronged strategy is to make the world aware of the destructive nature of sin and cause each and everyone to run away from it. This is why those who preach the gospel must allow the Holy Spirit to use them to read the “riot act” to their audience and not shy away from the reality of the pending doom that awaits those who will not believe in or accept the only Savior of mankind. The early disciples allowed the Holy Spirit to do this work through them and a sample of the result is glaring in Acts 2:37:
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
The second arm of His strategy is to make the world see the need to be upright in heart, and the need to be in right standing with the righteous God through the Mediator of the new covenant, Jesus Christ. Thirdly the Holy Spirit works to make the world aware of the judgment and punishment that awaits the devil and his cohorts. He does this so that men may be wary of listening to the devil and avoid being condemned along with him. The Compassionate Prosecutor speaks truth to all those who will listen and be free from the eternal consequences of God’s judgment (John 16:13, John 8:32). How friendly are you with the Holy Spirit? Do you only love Him because He comforts you in times of distress or do you still love Him when He probes into your life and reproves you? I encourage you to make the Holy Spirit your Senior Partner, Guide, Mentor and Confidant; He will never lead you astray.
Prayer Point: Compassionate Holy Spirit, please strongly reprove the people in my locality of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, and let Your work of conviction have free course in their hearts in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn 3: What Can Wash Away My Sins
1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Chorus:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my cleansing this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my pardon this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
3. Nothing can for sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of works, ‘tis all of grace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Open Heavens 15th February 2018, Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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