Saturday October 21, 2017
“There is no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.” It is important to note that Jesus speaks of the sin against the Holy Spirit following his encounter with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who attributed his ministry to a pact with the devil. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot know or love God. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to recognize God in His works. God generously pours out his Spirit on those who ask him (Luke 11:13). A deliberate, stubborn, and persistent rejection of God is a sign of pride and a denial of God’s grace. To attribute to the devil what is actually the work of God’s Spirit is an offense and slander against the Holy Spirit. When one rejects the Holy Spirit and his works, there is no possibility of repentance and conversion, for it is the Spirit that offers such grace. For such persons, there is no forgiveness possible.
In contrast to such people is Abraham who lived by absolute faith, trust, and openness to God’s Spirit. Thus, Abraham was justified not by his works, but by his faith and friendship with God.
