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-55-
The God Who Is
VEXING
In Isaiah chapter 63, beginning at verse 8 we read, "For he said, `Surely they are my people, children that will not lie:' so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them."
It is a very serious thing to have the protection of God removed from us. How awesome a thing it is when God turns against His people and fights against them! This is the result of the sin of vexing the Holy Spirit.
It is possible for a Christian to commit any of these sins. He can lie to the Holy Spirit; or he can grieve Him; or He can quench Him; or he can vex Him. Other sins can be committed only by unbelievers.
Sins of Unbelievers
RESISTING
In Acts chapter 7, Stephen preached, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did so do ye" (verse 51). He refers to the manner in which the Jews consistently persecuted the prophets of God. Humanly speaking, sinners are guilty of resisting the Holy Spirit. Paul declares that sinners "hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18b), i.e. they suppress the truth, they "hold it down." Neither do they come to the light of truth "lest (their) deeds should be reproved" (John 3:20).
"When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:21).
BLASPHEMING
The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the most commonly committed sin, yet it is probably the most misunderstood of all sins. In Mark chapter 3, beginning in verse 22, we read, "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, `He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.' And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, `How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
"`No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:' because they said, `He hath an unclean spirit'" (verses 20-30).
All who die in their sins blaspheme the Holy Spirit. They treat Him who is the savour of life as if He was the savour of death. The fact they want nothing to do with the Lord is to treat Him who is Good as if He was evil; and this sin "hath never forgiveness." Anyone who is concerned that he may have committed the unforgivable sin has not done so. People who have blasphemed the Holy Spirit could not care less. Therefore, it is not the person who is in the travail of his soul in the New Birth for whom we should grieve, but for them who have no interest in the things of God.
Conclusion
The person and the work of the Holy Spirit is misunderstood, misconstrued, and misrepresented. Nevertheless, let us beware lest we be guilty of sinning against the Holy Spirit of God, and let us rejoice that no believer can be guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption; yet, they can vex Him to the place that God will turn and fight against them.
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