What is conviction of sin? It is not an oppressive spirit of uncertainty or paralysing guilt feelings. Conviction of sin is the lance of the divine surgeon piercing the infected soul, releasing the pressure, letting the infection pour out. Conviction of sin is a health giving injury. Conviction of sin is the Holy Spirit being kind to us be confronting us with light we do not want to see and truth we are afraid to admit and the guilt we prefer to ignore. Conviction of sin is the severe love of God overruling our compulsive dishonesty, our willful blindness, our favourite excuses. Conviction of sin is the violent sweetness of God opposing the sins lying comfortably undisturbed in our lives. Conviction of sin is the merciful God declaring war on the false peace we settle for. Conviction of sin is our escape from malaise of joy, from attending church to worship, from faking it to authenticity. Conviction of sin, with the forgiveness of Jesus pouring over our wounds, is life
Raymond C Ortlund
From the book “Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preaching the Word)”