Peace to you,
I know Joey is asking for more tangible evidence, but I would like to see the verse and/or words of Christ that state what you have said.
I googled it, but other than a theological explanation (lacking supporting verses for the specific claims about what it means to be 'convicted of sin'), the only verse I found was about holy spirit convicting
the world of sin.
When he comes, he will prove (or convict)
the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
I don't see anything in there which states a person can only become Christian when 'holy spirit' convicts them of their sin.
John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you."
Men do not choose to become Christians they are chosen by God
Well, chosen by Christ (who always does the will of His Father). Christ chooses who to anoint with holy spirit (making a person Christian).
when he convicts them of their sin.
But this last part seems to be something added on.
**
I can share my personal testimony that I was already Christian (having received holy spirit) though my Lord continued to show me truth about myself (including sins that I had committed, that I had previously thought were not so bad, or that I had blocked out because I did not want to think about what I had done... and things that were in me, that I needed to work on and try to overcome). Because of course Christ is and speaks the truth, only truth, and He promises to lead us into ALL truth, and that includes the truth about ourselves (not to be mean or anything, but because a: it is true and that is what He promises us, and b: so that we can see clearly, so that we can know what to repent of, to work on, to try and root out, to overcome, so that we can be on guard against that part of ourselves that could lead us to sin against others... say, if there was jealousy in us, or cowardice, or pride, etc). It is not easy - AT ALL - to learn the truth about oneself because we like to think we're 'not so bad'; but then, training/refinement is not meant to be easy so that the end produce is something good, useful.
But it was about love for me, not fear - love that Christ gave His life for me (He and His Father loved me first), love for Him and His Father (again who loved me first), and the desire to serve Christ and His Father, in truth, out of love.
(
edited to add: I did know that I was a sinner before I became Christian. Sin = wrongdoing/error. Perhaps that is all that you mean? And I suppose if a person does not think that they have ever sinned, or that the wages of sin is death, then that person would have no reason to believe in or be grateful for the One who came to save us from death and to forgive sins. As Christ said, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Perhaps that is all you meant as well? That being said, there are also people who simply do not believe, but who still have the requirements of the law - love - written upon their hearts naturally. Romans 2:13-16. That doesn't mean those people do not sin, but it also doesn't mean that 'wanting to keep sinning' is THE reason they do not believe in God or Christ.)
Peace again to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy
