The Holy Spirit is the powerful third member of our Triune God. His work is different than that of the Father and the Son, for it is by Him that mankind is convicted of sin, led to the foot of the cross, and introduced to Jesus Christ as Savior.
His role in our salvation is so important that Jesus solemnly declared ... And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)
In other words, there is no hope of forgiveness for those who vehemently oppose the Spirit's part in opening the channel through which one understands and applies the Gospel message.
Without His intervention, it is impossible for saving faith to take root in the heart of man. A parallel passage sheds more light on the consequences of deriding and dismissing His divinity ... Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they speak. But he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal condemnation. (Mark 3:28-29)
Jesus Himself explained that the Spirit's duty is to ... convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:8)
Suppressing this conviction forces the hand of God. He will eventually give the rebel over to the 'sinful desires of his heart, shameful lusts, and a depraved mind'. (Romans 1:24-28)
It is a fearful thing to be 'given over' to one’s own destructive ways. Allow the Holy Spirit to draw you to the throne of grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment