"SLANDERING THE HOLY SPIRIT"

VOLUME XXVII I JANUARY 05, 2009 #01


“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will receive forgiveness; but for him who slanders the Holy Spirit there will be no forgiveness.”

(Luke 12:10 New English Bible)

These words have puzzled believers and terrified men for centuries. A sin for which there is no forgiveness? Truly frightening! Jesus is “the Way” to salvation. If you are at first mistaken about Him, then repent, you can be forgiven. But not if you “slander the Holy Spirit.” Is the Holy Spirit then greater than Jesus? Mysterious words, indeed!
I am no theologian nor a skilled interpreter of scripture or doctrine. Nor would I presume that my thoughts upon this text or subject are exhaustive or exclusive. But I would venture one idea.
The Holy Spirit is the inspirer of scripture, and scripture records the facts, testimony, and proof of Jesus’ identity, mission, and purpose. One can possibly misinterpret, misunderstand, or be misled by others in the correct meaning of this data about Jesus, and therefore fail to believe upon Him and be saved. Later, discovering his error, he can then repent, believe, obey, and be saved.
But suppose one absolutely, finally, and maliciously rejects the scriptures themselves, of which the Holy Spirit is author and inspirer? How then can he find forgiveness from the One whom he has rejected, since he has totally refused to believe upon Him, doubting Jesus’ very existence, denying His Deity, refusing the sacrifice on Calvary, thinking the resurrection a myth?
Can you throw away the handbook of Heaven and still get there? Can you discard the key to the Kingdom and still enter the door? Can you refuse to hear and heed the words of the Spirit and, on your own, or by relying upon uninspired men, still take possession of eternal life?
There is merciful forgiveness with the Lord! One can unintentionally err in understanding about Jesus, repent and find pardon. But what about the man who throws the Bible away, the Word of the Holy Spirit, how is he even to know the terms of forgiveness, which are found exclusively in the Bible? Without the Bible how is he even to know about God’s mercy?
To reject the Holy Bible is to consign oneself to a hopeless state. Eternally! That is scary!


Larry Atkin, Preacher