The Great Hope (Adapted)

Conviction of Sin

The first step in becoming right with God is the conviction of sin. “Sin is lawlessness.” “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20.) In order to see their guilt, sinners must test their character by God’s law—a mirror that shows what a perfect righteous character looks like and enables them to recognize the defects in their own. GrH_a 26.1

The law shows us our sin, but it provides no remedy. It declares that death is the reward of the transgressor. Only the gospel of Christ can free us from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. We must have repentance toward God, whose law we have broken, and faith in Christ, our atoning sacrifice. In this way we receive forgiveness for “sins that were previously committed” (Romans 3:25) and become children of God. GrH_a 26.2