Sin, Righteousness and Condemnation

As we read in John 16, Jesus tells the disciples in His discourse on the eve of the Passover:

7. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
8. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
9. sin, because they do not believe in me;
10. righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;
11. condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
12. "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
13. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.

I have always wanted to write about these verses, coz not only that I've always drawn inspirations from them, but also got a few insights, which so far have been deep within me in an unorganized manner. My effort with this attempt to pen them down is to bring the unorganized into an organized one. May God's Spirit guide me, for in the beginning God uttered His Word, and the order was established in the previously orderless world.

My personal God experience began around 12 years back. It was marked by a radical conversion and a total transformation. When I look back, I always envy myself for the abundant grace I was showered upon, to overcome the challenges I had to face in my initial years. When I see myself off-late struggling hard even on the basic things of personal renewal, I once again long to go through a radical conversion and transformation.

With my experience regarding sin and grace, God has taught me a lot over these years. Those were really tough lessons though. When I read the Word of God - the Mirror that can show our true image, as St. James put - I see my ugly face (made ugly due to sin) getting beautiful and bright when the divine cosmetic - grace - is applied.

I know that I am not presenting anything new to those who have experienced God in the variety of unique ways that God alone can think and comprehend of. For it's an eternal truth that we are experiencing salvation by grace, received through faith, and expressed in good works. But it's still awe-inspiring every moment, and never ceases to marvel the ones who seek God's mysterious ways. How can a man who trod a long way into the path of sin be able to stand in the righteousness of God without walking the entire way back home? But it's still true, for the ways and measures of God are totally different from those of man, as we read in the book of Isaiah 55.

6. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
7. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

- To be Continued