Convince and Complete

I recently wrote of the Counselor, the Holy Spirit who guides and leads believers in the way to go. The third person of the trinity also comforts us while He convicts us of sin. I heard Adrian Rogers speak on this John 16 passage about the Holy Spirit’s power. He stated that we need convincing of our sin. I think that is true because at least I am not always listening very well. Yes, I have been convicted of my sins and I am turning around and changing, but am I convinced?

God is not slow, but I think we often are slow to believe and understand how awful our sins are. God cannot have any sin in His presence. We must be changed and made new, without sin. This is a one-time point of salvation, but it is also a process of sanctification. This process is one of completion. It is not easy and requires trial and trying. James tells us that these trials make us mature and complete lacking nothing if we stay or persevere through them. We need to learn from them. Paul said as Jesus to the Philippians, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9). God is working on and in us, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Isn’t that a wonderful promise? God will complete what He has begun in each of us in His way and His timing. We need to be obedient and stay under His wing and ways until completion. This is not over until Jesus says it is over.