Having blogged something about this the other day, I caught a new aspect (at least to me) of it in scripture this morning and I feel sure it’s needful to share.
Jesus gave this warning:
“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Lu 12:10
This is given in chiastic form — a palistrophe — a symmetric structure. It confers meaning on the subject Blasphemy — and that is “To speak a word against.”
Certainly, refusing the Grace of God (Salvation) is one form of Blasphemy. Jesus is saying the same judgement will fall on those who “Speak against” the Holy Spirit.
This calls into serious question “Cessationist” Theology. Certain Denominations have taught that the Holy Spirit no longer is given to men, that miracles ceased with Apostolic age (after 100 AD.)
We should fear for those who teach such things. It’s inconsistent with scripture, nature and our experience!
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
This cuts deeply … when I speak against my brother (condemning him for what ever) … I judge what God has not yet Judged. In my emulation of Christ and his submission to His Father, I should take as my example this pattern of speaking only what is spoken to me from above.
So long as we draw breath, there is hope. No one, ever, is hopeless. No one is beyond the love of God. The question is: Who / what do we love?
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” John 14:23-24
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