Pentecost and Penitence
Anglicans ask the Holy Spirit to Convict Us
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:7-11)
Jesus prepares to ascend into heaven and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. He tells the Church that the Holy Spirit will
convict the world concerning sin — the Holy Spirit will not only make people aware of their sins, but will expose any false claims to salvation that do not acknowledge the Savior (because they do not believe in me),
convict the world concerning righteousness — the Holy Spirit will acclaim Christ as the only righteous one who has lived without sin and ascended with our redeemed humanity to the Father — And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
convict the world concerning judgment — the Holy Spirit will comfort us with the knowledge that Satan, with his endless accusations against Christians (Revelation 12:10) has been judged (The Revelation sees him thrown down), and cannot have the final word over those who have Christ as their Savior.
Anglicans look to the Holy Spirit to accomplish this convicting work in us, and to complete it by guiding us into repentance from evil.
The Prayer Book services of Morning and Evening Prayer begin with Confession of Sin, and our celebrations of The Holy Eucahrist call for it prior to our receiving Holy Communion.
Prayer Book worship instructions (called Rubrics as they were historically printed in red) for confession say,
Silence is kept. Silence is a time tested way of inviting the Holy Spirit’s work, in the case of confession, to bring conviction of sin and of our need for the Savior.
All kneeling, (Yes, Anglicans put our bodies into worship. We fall on our knees to confess sin and ask God’s mercy in Christ).
…the Officiant and People say… none of us are exempt. A Bishop, Priest, Deacon or Lay leader is, in confession, one member of the whole congregation seeking the Holy Spirit’s conviction and assurance of mercy in Christ.
And what do we say? Along with what the Spirit shows us of our individual sin, we admit as a church that we are people who ignore God and try to run life on our own terms,
…we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.
We admit that salvation is in Christ alone,
Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And we hear words of comfort that drown out Satan’s accusations against us, and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue this convicting work to transform our lives,
(The Lord) pardons and absolves all who truly repent and genuinely believe his holy Gospel. For this reason, we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that our present deeds may please him, the rest of our lives may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (This declaration of forgiveness is part of our annual Ash Wednesday liturgy as well and daily Morning and Evening Prayer.)
The frequent objection to worship led from the Prayer Book is that it is rote formality, that people are just reading words but not “feeling” the Spirit. And of course that can be true. So can fake healings, speaking in tongues or any Pentecostal sign gifts stolen and abused by charlatans. There is no perfect church, and so seeking conviction by the Spirit as a congregation recognizes our constant need and God’s abundant grace.
I would suggest as well that sincere participation in the Spirit’s work of conviction during worship will lead to walking in the Spirit in daily life. Let me testify…
The City of Sioux Falls has convenient (and free!) yard waste drop sites in the spring and fall. I had seven bags of stuff to drop and headed up to the closest site, which opened at 9 a.m.
Traffic was unusually light and I got there at about 8:45. I found a parking space and did mindless stuff on my phone. Other folks didn’t bother with the posted time — at least a couple of pickups passed behind me to dump leaves before 9.
At about 8:59 a City employee came up to my car and thanked me for respecting the time. She lamented how many people ignore the posted time and the limits on what can be dumped. I thanked her for her work and, as the clock clicked 9:00, went and tossed my bags of sticks, leaves and grass.
I was feeling pretty darn good about myself as I drove away. Behold, I done good and got complimented for it. God is lucky to have me.
As I drove home, I got behind a slow driver. My blood pressure and temper started rising. I didn’t lay on my horn (people around here just don’t), but I was muttering and cursing like Saul on the way to Damascus.
Then I glanced at my dashboard, which by some kind of satellite magic shows the speed limit for whatever road I’m on. The slow driver in front of me was not slow. The other driver was observing the legal speed limit on that street.
You can’t tell me that this wasn’t the work of the Holy Spirit. I was convicted of thinking myself righteous for honoring a rule, all the while disliking somebody else for obeying a rule that I give myself permission to ignore. Jesus condemns that, and the Spirit convicted me of doing it.
Needless to say, this came to mind in the silence before confession at church on Sunday, as did my gratitude for the Savior who lets me leave it at the foot of his cross.
That convergence of events strikes me as every bit a “sign” of the Spirit. It convicted me of sin and grew my gratitude for the righteous Savior without whom Satan would have the last laugh over my pathetic soul.
If you are a part of a liturgical church or even a more free-form gathering in which there is a time of confession, know that you are engaged with the Holy Spirit just as much as those who are speaking in tongues in the church down the road. When you hit your knees in confession, you are inviting the Holy Spirit to do just what Jesus promised, and to help you walk in the way of eternal life. Alleluia!
The pang of humility can come from the strangest directions.