Of
course, not every such sin is unpardonable, but the tendency of
all sin is in that direction, and we are only safe as we avoid
the very beginnings of sin. Only as we "walk in the Spirit" are
we "free from the law of sin and death" (Romans viii. 2).
Therefore, it is infinitely important that we beware of offences
against the Spirit, "lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews iii. 13).
Grieving the Holy Spirit is a very common and a very sad offence
of professing Christians, and it is to this that must be
attributed much of the weakness and ignorance and joylessness of
so many followers of Christ.
And He is grieved, as was my mother, by the unloving speech and
spirit of God's children.
In his letters to the Ephesians, Paul says, "Let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good
to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers." And then he adds: "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of
God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath
loved us, and hath given Himself for us" (Eph.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108