PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:8-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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.” (Luke 12:10)
Why is it OK to speak against the Son of Man, but not against the Spirit?
One possible reason is that this is why the Son of Man came, to be spoken against.
The Son of Man came to be despised (Isaiah 53:3) to break the power of sin.
God uses the humble (despised) Jesus to soften our hearts, to win us back.
Think about Saul (Paul), rejecting Jesus and killing his followers.
He spoke against the Son of Man… until the Spirit of Jesus changed his heart.
The Spirit helps us to recognize the “spoken against” Jesus as Lord.
“No one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
The Spirit of Jesus is our last opportunity to be rescued and restored.
All our life the Spirit is working to open our hearts to Jesus, so that we accept him.
But if we refuse to the end, then God will give us what we wanted – eternity without Jesus.
The Spirit is working to help me surrender to Jesus – am I opening my heart to this?
PRAYER
Lord, I am slow to surrender to your Spirit, but I do want to surrender. Please help me by your Spirit to say ‘Jesus is Lord’… not only with my mouth, but with my life.
I need to listen more and more to what the Spirit is saying – and to pause and listen more for it. I remember being in a situation where I thought I should draw a conversation with muslims about Jesus – so I prayed as I drove for the Spirit to give me the right words to say – however I got a very strong no – I even prayed my objection and said – but this is a great opportunity – but again no. I’ve learned to listen – the HS had a reason – I had to trust that. I know that in the 7 hours I had with these men, we built up a respect and repertoire – I hope that on other occasions that the opportunity would arise that they might learn more about Jesus as the saviour and not just a holy prophet. It is important to listen and follow the Spirit’s leading – to discern especially from other voices!
What does it mean to not be forgiven? Lord give us the strength to hold your name above all oppression, and give us the wisdom to trust in your Spirit.
Emmanuel.
God with us. God with me.
Be not anxious for God will give all that I need and what I need to say. His Word and my deeds need to go together. And His Spirit makes this a reality if I but receive and obey Christ Jesus working in me and through me. I am alive only by His Spirit living in me – I am not my own but His – heart, soul and mind. All for Jesus.
1. Spirit of God, dwell thou within my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,
And make me love thee as I ought to love.
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.
3. Didst thou not bid us love thee, God and king?
All, all thine own: soul, heart, and strength, and mind.
I see the cross–there teach my heart to cling;
O let me seek thee and O let me find!
4. Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear;
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
5. Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame–
The baptism of the heaven-descended dove;
My heart an altar, and thy love the flame.