November 23
The Holy Spirit THE PERSISTENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
And grieve no the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30.
Have you ever had the idea that the Holy Spirit is easily hurt? At first glance, this text could give that impression. But it is a mistaken impression. The Holy Spirit is not easily hurt--in fact, I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever gives up. I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever leaves us. It is possible for us to leave the Holy Spirit, and it is possible for the Holy Spirit to accept our leaving of Him, because of the respect He has for our power of choice. But the Holy Spirit simply does not come to some point where He says, "I'm giving up now--it's no use." Not at all. One of the greatest attributes of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated by the children of Israel. Think of their lives of rebellion and apostasy, of their ups and downs. Yet for hundreds of years, God through the Holy Spirit kept working with them, never giving up.
Has the Holy Spirit given up on the individual within the nation of Israel, eventoday? No--He still hasn't. We have evidence that right up to the close of time, the Holy Spirit does not give up, in spite of everything. One of the greatest traits of the Holy Spirit is the way He stays with a person, not being pushy--but being persistent. Some of you have had evidence of this in your own life.
When a person comes along who is absolutely certain that he has committed the unpardonable sin, it is not so. The fact that one is still concerned and seeking after God is an evidence that God is still seeking after him by the power of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is a very difficult sin to commit.
The invitation by Jesus that whoever comes to Him He will in no wise cast out has no date on it. Anyone, no matter how far he has gone, if he will come to Jesus and respond to the drawing love of the Holy Spirit today, will be freely accepted and forgiven. God does not give up on man easily. The only way it happens is when man finally gives up on God, and refuses to be drawn to change that decision. But the love and patience of God, and of Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit, continue to this very day. If you come to Him today, you will be accepted.
The Holy Spirit THE PERSISTENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
And grieve no the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph. 4:30.
Have you ever had the idea that the Holy Spirit is easily hurt? At first glance, this text could give that impression. But it is a mistaken impression. The Holy Spirit is not easily hurt--in fact, I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever gives up. I don't believe that the Holy Spirit ever leaves us. It is possible for us to leave the Holy Spirit, and it is possible for the Holy Spirit to accept our leaving of Him, because of the respect He has for our power of choice. But the Holy Spirit simply does not come to some point where He says, "I'm giving up now--it's no use." Not at all. One of the greatest attributes of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated by the children of Israel. Think of their lives of rebellion and apostasy, of their ups and downs. Yet for hundreds of years, God through the Holy Spirit kept working with them, never giving up.
Has the Holy Spirit given up on the individual within the nation of Israel, eventoday? No--He still hasn't. We have evidence that right up to the close of time, the Holy Spirit does not give up, in spite of everything. One of the greatest traits of the Holy Spirit is the way He stays with a person, not being pushy--but being persistent. Some of you have had evidence of this in your own life.
When a person comes along who is absolutely certain that he has committed the unpardonable sin, it is not so. The fact that one is still concerned and seeking after God is an evidence that God is still seeking after him by the power of the Holy Spirit. The unpardonable sin is a very difficult sin to commit.
The invitation by Jesus that whoever comes to Him He will in no wise cast out has no date on it. Anyone, no matter how far he has gone, if he will come to Jesus and respond to the drawing love of the Holy Spirit today, will be freely accepted and forgiven. God does not give up on man easily. The only way it happens is when man finally gives up on God, and refuses to be drawn to change that decision. But the love and patience of God, and of Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit, continue to this very day. If you come to Him today, you will be accepted.
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