“KILLS YOU” --John 16:2-11

“They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.” vs2

The ignorance and blindness of man is so great, that he will murder people who are doing him good. He will hate the very teachers of Christ, and cling to false christs and false prophets. He will be so persuaded that his religion is real that he’ll stone the Prophets and persecute the saints. He is blinded by the devil.

Therefore, we must expect opposition and move forward. The Lord has not said this to silence us, but to prepare us for the battle. Lean on Him for grace. Get strength from God. Do not be moved by your enemies, but boldly go forward in truth and love. Have compassion on your adversaries, and preach even more Christ, when they resist you. Be careful not to be offensive, but offend with truth spoken in love. We do not draw back for man’s approval! Galatians 1:10, “For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

Secondly, Jesus is the reason that we get the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.”

It is because of His work upon the cross that the Spirit comes; it is not something that we contribute - our hard efforts and our prayers; it is because of the blood of Christ and the atonement! Jesus perfected His Father’s commandment by obedience to death [Heb 5:9]. He suffered - the Just for the unjust - to bring us to God. Now, the Father has given Him the Spirit to give to us as His reward. The Acts 2:33 “Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear.” The transaction is justice rather than mere sentiment, because justice is the revelation of God in the gospel. He’s a just God and a Savior.

Therefore, receive the Spirit by Christ’s work! Don’t try to earn Him. Obey the gospel - faith and love - and He will be given [1 John 3:23]. Walk by faith, and He’ll keep coming. Ever keep your eye on Christ’s love. He paid the price, so we may have the Spirit when we’ve failed and when we’ve succeeded!

Thirdly, Jesus Christ, by the Spirit, brings true conviction.

John 16:8-11,

“When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”

He convicts us of unbelief, imputed righteousness, and power over sin! He convicts us that we have not trusted Christ, so we are guilty and filthy. He convicts us that Christ obeyed the Father, so by the obedience of One, many are righteous [Rom 5:18]. We are justified by faith. Righteousness is imputed. He convicts us of Satan’s defeat! We have power over sin. We can obey God today, and thus we can obey Him ten thousand days, because the prince of this world has been cast out. He no longer has dominion over us, and God’s grace is sufficient.

This conviction is the heart of receiving the gospel. Without the Spirit, we don’t know the truth inwardly. We are imposters and strangers with SECOND HAND information that’s not powerful enough to save us [Acts 19:11-20].

Ask God the Holy Spirit to give you conviction to the acknowledgment of the truth. “Lord, I’m a sinner. I’m helpless without you and unworthy. Lord, you have paid for my sins, and I’m justified. Lord, by the power of the Spirit, I can overcome Satan. He has no right to lead me to a single sin.” Bless God, we’ve got victory, power, and might.