This episode addresses the role of the evangelist in cooperating with the Spirit when He convicts the world concerning sin. No one calls Jesus Lord apart from the Spirit's convicting work, and the Spirit makes unbelievers uncomfortable with themselves in light of any faithful presentation of the gospel message. Many evangelists desperately want to provide the solution to the problem of sin without adequately spelling out the problem. They interrupt sinners in the PROCESS of grappling with the just judgment due their sin, leading to a very shallow conviction that they NEED Christ. Never genuinely convicted of their sin and desperate state, they abandon Christ when difficulty arises, for they never had "firm root" in themselves. (Matthew 13:21) They were never sufficiently convicted of their sinfulness. Sadly, many such "converts" erroneously conclude they're saved based on a past recitation of the sinners prayer, which now inoculates them against real conviction. And, many will likely be horrified when they are cast into hell, despite their shallow profession. (Matthew 7:22) The above terrifying outcome should motivate the evangelist not to get ahead of the Holy Spirit and allow sinners to "suffer" under His convictions. Deep conviction leading to repentance and faith in Christ produces lasting disciples who KNOW their wretched condition apart from Christ. The episode concludes with this imperative: BE COMFORTABLE WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES SINNERS UNCOMFORTABLE, for there is no curtailing the process. And curtailing, albeit well-intentioned, is a stumbling block, and we know what Jesus says about that..(Matthew 18:7)
When the Son Becomes Judge
This episode unpacks John 5:22-24, in which all judgment has been given to the Son by God the Father. And verse 23 specifically says that God sent the Son. Jews who reject Christ as God's Son and Messiah therefore reject the Father's sending of the Son. The consequences couldn't be more dire, since God the Father has given all judgment to the Son. According to John 3:36, "whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." This rejecting of the Father's sending of the Son invalidates any Jew's claim that he has the Father as his God: "No one who denies the Son, has the Father.." (1 John 5:23) Moreover, the wrath and judgment of the Son remain on all who reject the Son: "Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled.." (Psalm 2:12) Jews and Christians therefore do not believe in the same God.
Mercy Triumphs over Judgment..But Only for the Blind
This episode highlights the natural human tendency to substitute God's standard for good works with human ones, mostly centered on outward observance. One of the primary aims of the sermon on the mount (Matthew5-7) is to explode reliance on outward morality divorced from internal embrace of the commandments. The Pharisees were often guilty of emphasizing external observance of the Law without grappling with the heart's penchant for lawlessness. Christ concluded that Pharisees who continued to insist on their own righteousness, maintaining that they were good people, were headed for judgment. (John 9:39) By contrast, those who acknowledge their sick condition and are utterly despondent over any ability to do good--these are candidates for salvation who rest completely on the finished work of Christ.