The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "Conviction for Sin" by Gardiner Spring

In the article of the month Spring's closing words are,


I agree with his statements that despair does not equal conversion. I was just wondering why the author offers no solution to the matter.

Ehud

Perhaps it is because true conviction of sin which leads to repentance and faith in Christ (true evangelical conversion) is the sovereign act of God by the Holy Spirit (spiritual regeneration), e.g., Jg 3:3-8.

The author could have added something to the effect that the concerned sinner should pray continually that God would bring him to true repentance and faith, continue to read God's written Word and apply its truth to his life, seek out a body of believers to fellowship and be counseled by and attend public worship regularly. Thus by putting himself under the means by which God normally works and also striving to enter into the kingdom, the sinner avails himself of that salvation most needed. :scratch chin:

But then again, it might be that he deals with that later on in his book, The Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,

Fair enough if he has a whole book to explain himself with<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


This brings to mind another question. Is this type of praying a "Lord I believe help Thou my unbelief" prayer?

Ehud

I don't believe so in this particular situation. What Spring was writing about was a person who had false assurance based upon a lack of genuine repentance which is wrought in the soul only by the work of the Holy Spirit. Thus there was no "first love" to begin with and that is the emphasis upon which the person must focus upon.

There are those, however, who are weak in the faith and thus lack assurance. And, only by speaking with those types of individuals can another discern what the cause of that lack of assurance is. It may well be that they are simply weak in faith and to them one will counsel them to rest in the finished work of Christ and the eternal love of God for them. For those who lack genuine faith, they should be counseled to better understand the nature of genuine repentance and saving faith and to therefore to get right before God by repenting of their sins and trusting in Christ for the remission of their sins and reconciliation with God.

In His Grace,