The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers brings about a deep sense of conviction, leading to repentance and a changed life. As seen in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation, while John 16:8 notes that the Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction is also evident in Acts 2:37, where the crowd is cut to the heart and asks what they must do to be saved. The Bible teaches that faith, as defined in Hebrews 11:1, is the foundation for this conviction, and John 3:19-21 highlights the importance of coming to the light and confessing sin.
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And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.