Holy Spirit

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [Luke 12.10]

I know a lot has been speculated about "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." I think I too have had my opinions about it... However, today, as I read this passage, I had some distinct thoughts about the Holy Spirit just yesterday that seem relevant to the subject.

The reason blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable is because there is no forgiveness apart from the Holy Spirit! I've been quoting the passage below for some time now and it entirely supports what I said here:

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.22-23]

The Holy Spirit is directly tied to forgiveness. The Holy Spirit is the very vehicle of forgiveness.

This subject is much deeper than I can imagine at present, but suffice it to say, the Law could not bring forgiveness. Only Jesus could forgive and He could only forgive by the power of the Holy Spirit. We too are only capable of forgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is interesting that Jesus said, "Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven..." because people not only did that, but murdered Him. There is amazing depth here in Jesus making this statement.. People could not kill the Holy Spirit in Jesus and people cannot kill the Holy Spirit in us. The work of God, forgiveness, can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How deep do you want to go? The Holy Spirit is the vehicle to get there.

Jesus declared and demonstrated what the Holy Spirit does:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

All of the works of the Spirit are works of forgiveness.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [Matthew 9.4-6]

As much as we want and need to have a tender heart toward Jesus, we should understand the absolute necessity of having a tender and willing heart toward the Holy Spirit.

Father, help me to ponder Your Holy Spirit today. Fill me like never before with Your Spirit.