Convict the World of Judgment

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged (John 16:8-11).

The world is unable to judge anything from a holy, righteous, and purely truthful position. Jesus said, Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). Even with regard to Mosaic Law, the children of Israel were unable to judge rightly because they abused the Law, then corrupted it by adding to it or taking away from it. Furthermore, the application of the Law was often by letter with no regard for the spirit or true intent behind the Law. It was not intended to judge the people, but to direct them to holy and righteous Judge who gave them the Law.

While we are unable to judge anything with a purely righteous and holy judgment, the Holy Spirit was sent to guide us into making necessary judgments because He is God and is holy and righteous as the Father and Jesus Christ are. He is able to convict us of the truth that often escapes us or is ignored by us. The primary focus of His judgment is to convict people of their false opinions concerning Jesus Christ.

As stated earlier, those who reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Lord and Savior sent by God, stand condemned already. Jesus said, (John 3:18-19) He who believes in Him (Jesus Christ) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. From this text we see there are only two options given to a person with regard to Jesus: (1) receive Him as Lord and Savior, or (2) reject Him as Lord and Savior. There are no other options. Jesus said, He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad (Matthew 12:30). To His disciples He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

Satan is the lord of this earth. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out (John 12:31). I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me (John 14:30). We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). As the lord of this earth, he has already been judged and condemned when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead. All that is left for Satan is to be cast into the Lake of Fire forever separated from any possibility to repent and be saved. (Revelation 20:10) The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever, along with everyone who has rejected Jesus as Lord. 

What this means for us is that Satan has been judged. He is our enemy, but we need not fear him or what he can do to us. We are the Lord’s. He loves and protects and provides for His people. Rather than fear Satan, we must trust in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor Martin