Sin vs Righteousness

God has given us a very interesting insight. John 16:8-10…

And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come,

he will reprove 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.

What a great parabolic statement. The parable of convicting of sin and of righteousness.

…Of sin – for not believing the record God gave of Jesus, His Son

…Of righteousness – for not acknowledging God’s heart for all men to believe

The English, reprove, is from the Greek, elegcho, to prove one in the wrong and shame him. Think about how God tells us it is shameful to not believe on Him. But what about with righteousness? The Greek, dikaiosune, speaks of the inherent righteousness of God. Jesus says that His righteousness proves to all of Who He is…God.

Instead, sinner man goes about seeking to create his own righteousness, rejecting the Righteousness of God. Sinner man sets his own standards. However, such a set of standards is not Righteousness (Romans 10:3). Sinner man’s standards do not satisfy God.

The end result for sinner man? Judgment. Judgment against sin, denying Christ. Eternal damnation.

So what about Righteousness for Saints? Imputed to Saints at salvation. The very Life of God given to Saints at the New Birth. Justification, God declares a Saint to be Righteous, Holy.