Monday, December 9, 2013

God's Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:3-12, Matt 12:22-32, Prov 24:12-14)


Personally, I love God's Holy Spirit.  Once we become Christians He can dwell in us.  When I'm afraid, I ask Him to grant me peace.  When I can't figure out how to say or write something, I ask Him for words to say.  (Lots of praying while I blog!)  When my husband and I are having an argument, the Holy Spirit comes between us and helps us calm down.  When I couldn't figure out algebra in school, I acknowledged that God created Math and would be the best one to help me.  He did!  I got an A and when the teacher asked me how I was improving so much.  I told him I prayed.  : )  God will help us in anyway that is in line with His character of righteousness and love.  He loves the planets and stars in the sky He created.  He gave me a desire to learn the constellations.  He loves us. Ok, I confess He also nudges me.  I feel like I should do something... then I feel like I really should do something... then I feel like NOW would be a good time.  That's the Holy Spirit seeking to use me.   And yes, He just nudged me : )  I would naturally be a lot more shy without Him.

Hebrews 6
3 And this we will do (put aside elementary principles) if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
I have to admit these words are hard.  I know I have sinned since becoming a Christian.  I know other Christians have sinned.  So how can it be that a person can't go back to God in repentance?  There is one unforgivable sin.  That is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.  When I walk past someone I could help, I grieve the Holy Spirit.  Blasphemy is much worse than that.  I looked up the definition in a dictionary and here's what I found:

blasphemy
a :  the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
b :  the act of claiming the attributes of deity

Here's a story where Jesus describes the difference between blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and sin.  He is God's Holy Spirit.

22 Then a demon- oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
(Matthew 12:22-32 ESV)

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Ouch! When we are useful, we do what God loves and receive blessings.  I like that.  However, if we only produce thorns and briers (weeds), and hurt others, we're in danger of going to Hell.  


Here's some encouragement from Proverbs (the book of wisdom):
If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? 13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.
(Proverbs 24:12-14 NKJV)
Basically it's encouraging us to seek wisdom and not dwell on the bad.  Do the do's and not the don'ts.


9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Hebrews 6:3-12 NKJV) 


I plan to repost the Christmas story around December 20 so we can celebrate Jesus birth on Christmas morning.  Comments are always welcome.

God bless!
Karen 

2 comments:

  1. Great bible study!
    I have read these scriptures many times, but in re-reading them today it struck me...I have been really sad about a situation in which one Christian denomination has been attributing the deeds done (In this case healings through the anointing of sick people by believers)...to something akin to demonic...since the accusing group does not believe that healings are for today...Well, I read this and got clarification...but I am even sadder now.
    Just like how the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beezelbel, sometimes Christians accuse other Christians of doing things in the name of evil...even though they are praying to the Lord, and believing it is by the power of the blood of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. This is dangerous territory they are treading into!

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  2. Thanks so much for the encouragement : ) You are absolutely right. If people are being healed that's not from evil, it's from God. I believe there's no time limit on when God can heal, it's entirely up to Him and He's always been compassionate toward the sick and wants the same from us. Jesus' blood is incredibly powerful : ) The devil wouldn't heal- he seeks to devour.

    It's a sad story for sure. I'll pray with you on it. It must be so heartbreaking for those being healed.

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