Dangerous Territory

# 321 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 3:28-30 In solemn truth I tell you that the sons of men shall be forgiven all their sins and all the blasphemies they may utter, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is never forgiven. Nay, he is in the grasp of an eternal sin." Because they kept saying, "He has an unclean spirit."

Again, whenever this passage is discussed, I believe it is vital to assure those who have doubts about whether they may have committed this sin to realize that if they are concerned about committing it, they haven't.

Nonetheless, just by listening to the tone of Jesus' words, one can see that this is a serious matter. Jesus solemnly warns these religious leaders that because they have intimated that the Holy Spirit is a demon, they have placed themselves in very dangerous territory.

It is very close to the territory now occupied by the devil and his demons. They placed themselves there when they revolted against God. And what is revolt against God if not the attitude that “We do not need You God, we will rule our lives!” God judged them for their revolt and His judgment was simply this, the devil and his demons will never be able to come to repentance. Have you ever thought about that?

The Bible tells us that the demons believe in God and tremble. The demons BELIEVE in God! They even tremble before Him, yet the one thing they are missing is godly sorrow over their sin, or repentance. They are never sorry for any of the mayhem they engage in.

They can't be, because God has permanently hardened them to repentance, and they are doomed. How fitting a punishment for those who would demonize the Holy Spirit......those guilty of this sin will spend eternity in torment with demons.

Jesus, (who could see the hearts of these Pharisees) was warning them that they were dangerously close to this point. Friend don't play games with repentance. It's not something you can manufacture, it is a gift from God.

It comes to us through the preaching of the Law. When the law strikes our heart and we are convinced of our sin, convinced that we have sinned against God, the gift has arrived. Open it and agree with God that you have sinned against Him and then receive His free offer of forgiveness. 2Co 6:1, 2 says, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Be quick to receive God's gift of repentance. Grab it while it is today, you don't know if it will ever be offered to you again.

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.