Conviction of Sin

I use to think that the conviction of one's sinfulness came through the Law. I am coming to a new conviction that as we come to better know Jesus we are more fully convicted of our sinfulness as is the case of Peter in this passage.


And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luk 5:4-8)

What do you get from reading this passage? Nice find by the way.

Peter certainly had knowledge of moral law and the ceremonial laws as he was a jew. How would he come to such conclusions and to what standard would Peter compare Jesus too? Just by Jesus performing a miracle? And how would he know Jesus is perfect in character?

Even the Pharisees who knew the law were not convicted of their sins but as one grows to know Jesus, one sees clearer their own lack, i.e. their own missing the mark'.

Romans 2:4 NKJV
[4] Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Coming to know Jesus better takes more than 'a miracle', it takes the Holy Spirit opening the eyes of our understanding as to Who Jesus truly is.

John 16:13-14 NKJV
[13] However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Matthew 16:17 NKJV
[17] Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I personally believe it comes down to a finely tuned conscience....for a believer sin is a different story.....let me explain...

1. Why does the Holy Spirit convince the world of sin? BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME (Jesus)

2. For a believer grace BOUNDS AHEAD OF OUR SIN <--WHAT does this mean?

3. Sin breaks fellowship, yet none are without sin (1st John)

4. The spirit born of God does not sin while being bound in a fleshly body of sin that WARS against the Spirit

5. A believer stands in a position of GRACE (Romans 5, Ephesians 2 properly translated) which ALLOWS for service and fellowship

6. If it is NOT OF FAITH IT IS SIN.....

7. I have said and say again....SIN is not the issue in a believer's life.....Faith is the issue.....why was Peter convicted.....because of doubt and a lack of faith......

faith is the issue for both a lost man that needs to be saved from sin and a saved man that has been freed from sin......BOTH HAVE SIN IN SOME FORM OR FASHION....

Faith is the EVIDENCE of something NOT SEEN......FAITH IS THE ISSUE.....! IMO