CONVICTION FOR SIN by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 14, 1892

CONVICTION FOR SIN.

By William Covert

BY ELDER WILLIAM COVERT.

IN a former article it was shown how man has been perverted by sin. Sin is manifest ingratitude to the Creator, and is exceedingly unbecoming in man. If God in love to man gave him a beautiful world, abundantly supplied with everything that was essential to his happiness and comfort, and placed him in a garden of delights, all glorious and fragrant with sweetness, there, with life, companion, home, and title, all a gift—what should have been the emotions of his heart for God? Certainly he should have loved God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind. Matt. 22:37. If that love had been there, obedience would have been the result; "for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3.

This love cannot be restored to the heart unless it is softened through the process of conviction. There can be no love for holiness unless there is hatred for sin. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7. But how can man be made to hate sin or feel any compunction for his transgressions? With the faculties of Satan alive in him, ruling all his passions, he is helpless to relieve himself. The apostle says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14.

The power and life of the Spirit of God must energize every step that man can take toward God. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6. This Spirit leads by the way of the cross of Christ Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. They come because they are drawn. Jesus made a statement concerning the wonders of his grace, when he said, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32. It is the mystery of this wonderful love that attracts the attention of the sinner. It is something that they see not in all the dominion of darkness. Such a spectacle as the Son of God in holy love dying for his enemies to save them from destruction, will soften the heart of the one who will behold it.

The Spirit of God will quicken the mind to a sense of its guilt, as the enormity of sin’s defilement is seen in the light that shines from Calvary. It was this mighty truth which the Holy Spirit put in the mouth of Peter on the day of Pentecost, that caused conviction, which resulted in three thousand becoming Christians. The scenes of Calvary were fresh in their minds, and many were doubtless personal witnesses to the sufferings of Christ.

They well knew that great injustice had been done him, and that he was innocent of any crime; but all this knowledge had not affected their hearts so as to bring conviction for sin. But when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostle convinced them that it was the Son of God that had died, that they were guilty of his death, and that in love for them he bore all the shame and the pain, they ceased to taunt and to offer insult. Their mocking gave place to conviction, and remorse. Their sins, which, before this, had given them no special burden, now became like a loathsome disease that was taking their lives. The writer relates it in the following words: "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?" Acts 2:37. They were no longer accusative nor boastful, but earnest men asking what steps next must be taken. They were told to repent and be baptized, and that they should receive the Holy Spirit. This they gladly did.

On another occasion Peter told the wondering multitude that they had delivered up and denied the Holy One, and had killed the Prince of Life. Acts 3:12-17. The whole congregation were guilty of the death of the Son of God. But he died through love for them. The fact that each sinner is guilty of the same thing that Peter accused this people of, should not be lost sight of. Each transgressor is guilty of the blood of Christ. This thought brings conviction, because the death of Christ is for each individual. For sinners he died, and each individual is alike guilty of sin. Had it not been for sin, Christ need not have died. Had not unbelief entered the heart of man, he would never have transgressed. Of the sinner, Christ said, he "is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." John 3:18. Again, he taught that the Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin, "because they believe not on me." John 16:8, 9. The deepest sorrow should characterize repentance, because unbelief made the sacrifice of Jesus essential to man’s eternal happiness. Both the guilt of man and the love of God are marvelously shown in the scenes which cluster around Calvary. So forcible did the apostles make the point that all were guilty of the blood of Christ that the hardened rulers accused them of intending to bring this man’s blood upon them. Acts 5:28.

The sorrows of conviction that followed the preaching of the apostles as they charged the people with the death of Christ, are set forth in the book of Zechariah:—

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Zech. 12:10.

This world has never beheld other scenes of penitence like those which transpired at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and after the healing of the lame man who was laid at the gate of the temple; nor has it seen elsewhere such glorious results. We cannot at this distance from those scenes enter into the reality of what had just transpired there, only as the facts are pressed home by the same Spirit which wrought such wonderful conviction in their hearts. But all should be equally interested with those who were immediately associated with the tragedy of Calvary. Yet how few in the present age really mourn on account of sin "as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn"! But the fact that God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son to die for sinners, and that Christ loved them, and gave himself for them, begets a love in the affections that did not before exist there. The emotions which fill the soul of the penitent for sin are well described in the following language:—

O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath; neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. Ps. 38:1-4.

The reader will notice that this is a prayer of conviction and confession. The arrows of conviction make the penitent loathe himself because of sin. Further on he says, "I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." Verse 18. In another place he says: "Innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me." He then prays, "Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me." Ps. 40:12, 13. Again the Psalmist writes: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Ps. 51:17.

Sinner, you are asked in the word of the Lord to accept Christ just as you are, and where you are. Will you do so now?