16:8
We live in a time when society (ie “the world” in John’s terms) is increasingly ignoring God’s standards, especially in the area of sexual morality. Moreover, the world says there will be no judgement and seeks to deny the reality of sin, putting everything down to genetic or environmental factors. Part of the role of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world, “to prove the world to be in the wrong”. We can easily get discouraged at the way society is going and seems to be “winning”. Any apparent victory will not last.
16:9-11
Accepting the reality of sin is related to believing in Jesus. The world sees man as a being at the mercy of his genetic makeup and the environment (social as well as physical) in which he exists. God has a much higher view of man. While we are undoubtedly influenced by our genes and the environment, we can become the masters. Indeed, right at the beginning man was commanded to have dominion over the earth. See how the world completely inverts that command, so under an atheistic world view it is the earth that has dominion over man.
Jesus taught the world about righteousness. Now He was going to the Father, so the Holy Spirit would take over that role. He works through the church, so part of our role is to teach the world about righteousness. That is very much needed in our day, but is something where large parts of the church are doing the exact opposite. It applies to sexual morality, but equally to the increasingly gross inequalities in society and exploitation of the poor, and denial of justice.
On the cross the “ruler of this world” (Satan) was judged. His end is now near, and the Holy Spirit declares that victory. Again, mostly working through the church.
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