| The Christian Life | May 1943 |
The Holy Spirit Reproves the World
“And when he [the Comforter, the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove [margin, convince] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”—John 16:8-11
OUR text speaks of a reproof of the world by the Holy Spirit. During our Lord’s ministry here on earth the nation of Israel was reproved by the teachings and the course of His life. But here He explains that a further witness must be given, not only to Israel, but to the whole world.
In these words, which were evidently a condensed report of a talk given by Jesus to His disciples not long before His trial, conviction and death, He pointed out that if the world had believed on Him—the Son of God—and had conformed their lives to His teachings, no further witness would be necessary. But, inasmuch as they did not, and He was now about to ascend to heaven and therefore would not be here to bear witness that Satan’s rule was doomed, this witness must be given in some other way. This witness also would explain that the reason Satan’s rule was doomed was because God had provided a ransom sacrifice for the world and also had provided the Millennial Kingdom to offer the world the opportunity of restitution as a result of that ransom sacrifice.
Such a testimony has been given all during this Gospel age by the Holy Spirit operating through the church by precept and by example. The church has been telling the world of the creation of Adam, his disobedience, and resultant penalty of death which, through him, has passed on to the human race. The church has also borne witness of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ and of the coming Millennial age judgment. Its members have held up to the people the divine standard of righteousness, and by their lives of obedience to God have been shining lights of that righteousness. They have not only pointed out the evils of sin but by their avoidance of the sinful practices of the world, have been a reproof to them.
Several years ago, some seeds of grain were found sealed up in an Egyptian tomb near a mummy. Out of curiosity, these seeds were planted to see if they would grow. They did, and the grain was no different from any other grain. Likewise, sometimes the seeds of truth which we sow do not bring fruitage in this life, but in the Millennium, when those who have died come forth from the grave, they will remember the reproofs of sin, of righteousness and of judgment given to them by the Holy Spirit operating through the church. Then, under the favorable conditions of the Millennium, these reproofs will bring forth a rich fruitage of love and obedience.
This testimony to the world by the church is referred to in II Corinthians 2:14-17 (Emphatic Diaglott), as follows: “Now thanks be to that God, who always leads us forth to triumph with the Anointed One, and who diffuses by us the fragrance of the knowledge of Him, in every place; because we are a sweet odor of Christ to God, among those who are being saved, and among those who are perishing; to these, indeed, an odor of death to death, and to those, an odor of life to life; and for these things who is qualified? For we are not like the many, trafficking the Word of God; but really from sincerity, and as from God, in the presence of God, we speak concerning Christ.”
Led Forth to Triumph
In what way does God always lead us forth to triumph? In the sense that when we put forth the effort to witness concerning God’s gracious plan of salvation and to manifest the spirit of Christ, our course of action is always a sweet odor to God, whether others accept our message or not.
An interesting story is told of how the stethoscope was discovered. A certain doctor had a patient who was very ill. He was unable to make a satisfactory diagnosis of her case because he did not know the condition of her heart and how much it contributed to the patient’s illness. He could not hear her heart beat because this patient was very stout and had a thick layer of fat over her heart. So he ordered her to stay in bed while he went out for a walk to think over her case. He walked to the edge of town, where he was quite disturbed in his thinking by the noise of some children who were getting considerable pleasure out of a game they were playing. A boy was hitting one end of a hollow log with a club and at the other end were a group of boys and girls shrieking with glee. When they listened at their end of the hollow log, they could hear clearly the sound of the taps of the club made by the boy at the other end of the log.
The doctor stopped, his feet rooted to the ground, as he exclaimed, “That is the idea by which I can hear the heartbeat of that lady.” He went back to the home of the patient. He then wrapped a piece of heavy paper in the shape of a tube. He put one end of the tube against her chest and his ear against the other end of the tube. Sure enough, he could now hear the heart beat and discovered that her heart was in good condition. It was from this incident that the stethoscope was invented.
What is the lesson for us? We have the stethoscope of faith by which we can hear the Lord as He is directing us in our work of letting our lights shine before the world. We can hear Him assuring us that we are going forth to triumph; as we read in Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” The world would think it foolishness for us to imagine that we can hear God directing us and approving us through our circumstances and through His Word. But, O, how clearly we can hear Him speak to us through the stethoscope of faith!
Nothing Without Christ
If our automobile were stolen, and the insurance company paid us for a total loss and then the car was recovered by the police, it would be turned over to the insurance company. They would then have the car fixed up and sell it. The money received for the car would be credited to salvage. We sometimes have temptations where we fail miserably in overcoming. We are a total loss. If we realize we have failed we should then ask the Lord to forgive us through the merit of Jesus Christ. We should also make amends for the wrong we have done and make straight paths for our feet so that we will not be liable to fail on that point the next time. By so doing, we will salvage from the sad experience, lessons of humility, watchfulness, and thoughtfulness, and develop a hatred of the sin, and a love of righteousness. As a result the Lord can still lead us forth to triumph and make us stronger for the next trial.
In Psalm 133, reference is made to the anointing of Aaron as the High Priest of Israel: “It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.” While it lasted, what a sweet fragrance would be diffused by this anointing oil, wherever Aaron would go. This fragrance pictures the pleasant and uplifting influence that we should exert upon all with whom we have any dealings.
Let us ask ourselves some searching questions. During the past week, what kind of impressions did we leave on others? Did we leave the disagreeable odor of faultfinding, losing our tempers, snap judging of others, sowing seeds of discord, and evil speaking? Or did we leave the sweet fragrance of the Spirit of Christ, manifested in a supreme love for God and a joyful loyalty to His cause? Did we display an unselfish and pure love for the brethren which is always alert to do them good? When we spoke, were we careful to avoid a harsh, irritating tone in our voice, thus leaving a disagreeable odor; or were we careful to keep our voice kind and gentle? Did we express appreciation of what others did for us, or were we merely pointing out the things they did that were wrong?
At Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side, is a park in which there are many varieties of roses. They are very beautiful because the mist from the Falls helps to make them grow profusely. Suppose some one was visiting this garden who had something wrong with his nose which destroyed his sense of smell. While others would delight in the abundance of sweet fragrance and would be thrilled with the many varieties of roses, this man would not be able to smell anything. We can liken God’s people to a garden of roses, each one different and yet each yielding the sweet perfume of the Spirit of Christ. Can you detect the brethren’s honest heart endeavors to do those things God would have them do? If you can, then you will love to fellowship with them and delight in being with them in the meetings. And the more you do fellowship with them in the meetings, the more you will be pleased to note their many little sacrifices for the truth, their longings to be humble and teachable and kind, and the purity of their motives. Blessed are you, if you can thus appreciate the brethren’s sweet perfume of love.
Paul asks, “Who is qualified” to diffuse this fragrance? (II Cor. 2:16, Diaglott) He answers that it is those who are sincere, and who always realize that the Lord is watching them and approving them. Oh, how important to growth in Christian character is this quality of being fully sincere in what we say and do in carrying out our covenant of sacrifice!
The Salt of the Earth
The testimony of Jesus Christ and His church, by their teachings and examples, has not only served as a reproof to the world but has also served as a preservative influence, which has kept the world from sinking deeper into the mire of sin. Jesus refers to this in Matthew 5:13, saying, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” It is not merely that which the salt preserves that is important, but it is also the influence that preserving effect has on others. Likewise, this influence of Jesus and the church has had not only a direct effect, but also an indirect effect on mankind.
It is said that the priests threw salt that had lost its savor on the ground at the foot of the brazen altar, to keep them from slipping on the blood from the sacrifices. This would fit in with the lesson that Jesus is giving us in this text. Those who have become unfaithful to their covenant of sacrifice are as salt having lost its savor which is “good for nothing.” At best they would serve as an example to the faithful at the altar of sacrifice of what is wrong and undesirable.
And so, brethren, let us ever remember the dignity and importance of our position before the world, as channels through which the Holy Spirit accomplishes its present mission of reproving the world of sin, of righteousness and of coming judgment. While we occupy this position before the world, let us remember that we are not of the world, but have been separated therefrom and set apart by the Holy Spirit as ministers of righteousness. By God’s grace, may we ever be faithful as such!