EDITORIAL: Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit – The Unpardonable Sin!
FEATURE ARTICLE: Testing the spirits.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EDITORIAL: Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit – The Unpardonable Sin!
2. SITE OF THE MONTH: Prison Fellowship Ministries
3. FEATURE ARTICLE: Testing the spirits.
4. PRAYER REQUESTS: Submitted by our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
5. FEEDBACK: The Subscriber's Section - Your Input Matters.
6. CONTACT US: We are here for You!
1. EDITORIAL: Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit – The Unpardonable Sin! (See Letter #6 for a greater discussion of the Holy
Spirit).
In early July, I received a letter from a young man who was concerned that he had blasphemed the Holy Spirit of God, and was
fearful that he had lost any chance of attaining eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
It seemed fitting to investigate the matter fully with him, so in response I asked for an explanation of precisely how and when this
supposed event took place. The following is his reply:
"What happened was, I was sitting down, and I had read that particular passage in Matthew that referred to the blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit. I began to think; 'What if some time earlier in my life I said something bad and now God won't forgive
me.' That made me very nervous. Then I thought, 'I wonder what would happen if I said something very bad about the Holy Spirit
right now.' (By 'right now' I mean at that time, when I was thirteen) So, I whispered the worst thing about the Holy Spirit I could
think of. At thirteen, the worst word to me was the 'f' word, so I said, 'f--- the Holy Spirit.'"
As we continued in our discourse, I learned that his remorse and grief were "immediate!" He fell on his face before God, praying
for forgiveness, as soon as the words exited his mouth. At the time he wrote to me, he was seventeen… So, for four years he has
been carrying the grief of his utterance. In writing to me, he was seeking to learn the truth to one question: "Am I eternally lost?"
As we exchanged letters, he has revealed an intense desire to Study God's Word, and to abide in a lifestyle of obedient
discipleship to Jesus Christ… He has revealed his prayer life, which is replete with answered prayers – as well as an intense sense
of yearning for the glory of God! He speaks of the "burden of his heart" to please the Lord Jesus Christ. And, he speaks of the
overwhelming remorse that fills his heart, and his desire to receive forgiveness from God.
I even went so far as to ask him to identify Jesus Christ to me, which He did: Confessing Jesus Christ as God – made man, who
lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for the sins of humanity… Can anybody make this confession, without the Spirit of God
within their heart? (1 John 4:2).
This confession becomes significant in many ways, as you will see in our feature article.
Unfortunately, however, he has also received letters from other "christians", who have told him that he is in fact eternally dead,
and that no amount of repentance or remorse can help him. He has been told that he is guilty of blaspheme against the Holy Spirit
of God, and that (he might just as well kill himself now) there is absolutely no eternal hope for him!
Admittedly, my reaction to his confession was immediate, in that I thought, "That was a very stupid thing to say and do!" And it
was! But the question before us remains to be examined more thoroughly – don't you think? Did this thirteen year-old boy
blaspheme the Holy Spirit and loose any hope of eternal salvation?
In Letter #6 of The Letters, this is what I was moved to write on this topic of the unpardonable sin: "As for the unpardonable sin,
Scripture clearly tells us what it is, even though many have difficulty acknowledging God's truth today. In Matthew 12:22-32, a
situation and subsequent teaching reveal the offense that is unpardonable:
Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb. The Pharisees, not wanting to
acknowledge the presence of God, credited Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, with the healing. That is the unpardonable sin! To
blaspheme means to: 1. Harm the reputation of. 2. Speak of irreverently. 3. Make inferior.
4. Slander. By crediting Beelzebul with the healing, the Pharisees violated everything we know blasphemy to be. And blasphemy is not restricted to miracles, either.
The Word of God says, "whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to
come" (Matthew 12:32). See also Luke 12:8-10."
On the surface of these things, therefore, one could easily say that this thirteen year-old boy had in fact "Spoken irreverently" to
the Holy Spirit. But, did he speak irreverently "of" the Holy Spirit? I may be wrong, but I think there is a difference!
The lad didn't harm the Spirit's reputation. He didn't speak of Him irreverently. He didn't make the Spirit inferior (if anything, the
Spirit has scared the sass right out of this youngster, and elevated His significance in the young man's life). And, finally, he did not
slander the Spirit. What he did do, however, was to speak very arrogantly to the Holy Spirit of God!
Perhaps the greater issue here though, is whether a thirteen year-old boy is going to be held accountable by the God Who Is
Love, Mercy, Compassion and Forgiveness, for an utterance made out of sheer stupidity. I don't think that at age thirteen, he is
accountable for this foolishness, and I have told him so.
Peter knew Jesus Christ, and yet he denied Him three times. God forgave Peter the man, so that he could go on to minister that
forgiveness to others.
David knew God, and yet he sinned against Him in his lust for Bathsheba. God forgave David the man – and was born of his
lineage.
Although these sins are not against the Holy Spirit of God, they do represent two examples of God's forgiveness – of MEN! Men
who knew better! Men who walked with God!
So, what do you think, beloved, is this seventeen year-old boy eternally lost because of something he said when he was thirteen?
Am I wrong in telling him that his utterance did not doom him to eternal damnation?
And, in case you are wondering why I am asking… This lad is still receiving letters of condemnation from other Christians, who
are telling him that he is dead to God! Naturally, therefore, he is confused, dejected and demoralized.
What would you say to him today?
2. SITE OF THE MONTH: Prison Fellowship Ministries:
http://www.prisonfellowship.org/
Founded in 1976 by former Nixon aide Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries has now broadened into a family of
ministries that individually address each aspect of the crime problem. Corporately, they provide a biblical and comprehensive
assault on the problem of crime.
The problems of crime and justice have baffled this nation for years. The harder we have fought against crime, using the wisdom
of man, the worse things have gotten. All the while, our system of justice has forgotten the victims of crime and lost control of an
exploding criminal population.
Prison Fellowship Ministries has turned to God and His Word for answers to the problems of crime and justice. In doing so, we
have discovered proven and reliable methods of redemptive punishment, needs that only the Church can address, and the only
sure way to restore peace (shalom) to our communities.
We hope you will take time to explore this web site. You will find a comprehensive, biblical approach to some of this nation's
most difficult problems. And, you will find out how you can participate in addressing those problems.
Contacting your political representatives for Justice Fellowship, giving gifts to the children of prisoners at Christmas through Angel
Tree, ministering to prisoners with Prison Fellowship, or helping a victim of crime through Neighbors Who Care are just a few
ways you can personally attack the problem of crime in your community.
Prison Fellowship Ministries: http://www.prisonfellowship.org/
3. FEATURE ARTICLE: Testing the spirits!
As we approach the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, Scripture repeatedly warns us that we will witness an astonishing increase in
the activities of the evil one. Clearly, therefore, it becomes significant to our spiritual walk with God, that we learn and remember
how to discern between the Spirit of Light and those who are able to, "Disguise himself as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14
& 15).
I have never claimed inerrancy or Divine Inspiration for The Letters. If anything, I have repeatedly challenged every reader to
verify every word that I have written against the Word of God. Nevertheless, even though I know that the Holy Spirit did not
stand over my shoulder, dictating what is written, I have always acknowledged the fact that Jesus Christ was, and remains, my
Teacher; His Holy Spirit has guided my studies in ways that are beyond my capacity of expression.
In acknowledging at least some guidance from His Holy Spirit, then, it does not surprise me in the least, as I look at The Letters
today, that the opening and closing letters, as well as a great deal of the internal content of many of the letters, deal with the topic
of spiritual warfare.
Throughout The Letters, I have confessed the call of God in my heart – to and for His Church; to and for the Body of Christ. The
objective of this call: obedient discipleship – to the praise of His glory, and our eternal joy. In the fullness of that call, He has
made me extremely conscious of the battle that is raging for the hearts, minds and souls of His children. Everything that occurs
about us has spiritual significance. Everything!
In these latter days, therefore, it is vital that we learn and remember how to identify the True Spirit of Light, from the deceiver,
because His Word clearly tells us that there will be a dramatic increase in the Prophetic Word, during these later days... And, this
exhortation is for the Prophet as well as for the listener, because many "prophets" are being deceived, and will be deceived to a
greater degree in the near future, because they are not testing the spirits that are approaching them today!
Over the years, the Lord has taught me something about visions and prophetic dreams. This truth is seen throughout Scripture,
but is provided in His Word as an underlying thought, and not an overtly conscious teaching. Simply, as you study the Prophets,
and as you consider the dreams and visions that were given throughout the Bible, you will notice that the Prophets and the
dreamers were fully AWARE of what was taking place! They were not in a trance – so much – that they could not make
inquiries… And this reality is a key to our discovery and discernment of the spirits.
When God chooses to speak with His children, His children are aware enough of their situation and surroundings, to make
inquiries; to speak to their visitor's! On those rare occasions when I have had spiritually significant dreams, I have always had the
opportunity to inquire about the message and the messenger. And, in that inquiry, my spirit has always been moved to ask for
testimony of Jesus Christ.
In 1 John 4:1-3, God says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because
many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ
has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the
antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."
At one point in my walk with the Lord, I questioned the Spirit over an issue, because I did not want to be deceived. The chorus
of praise and worship that I heard - For Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God made man, who walked among us, lived a sinless
life and died on the cross for our sins - Was awe inspiring. He taught me an extremely valuable lesson that day, and I have
applied His teaching whenever the spirits have spoken.
And, I apply that lesson whenever I hear from a "prophet" today! If I cannot discern a confession of Jesus Christ – come in the
flesh, from the prophet, then I inquire directly of the spirit writing to me. Beloved, many are failing the test today! And, in their
failure, they are angered that I would even "Dare to challenge their authority". My challenge to you, beloved, is please be more
daring.
The application of this lesson has served the faithful and obedient body of Christ very well for over two thousand years, and it will
continue to serve us for as long as He tarries. Satan cannot confess Jesus Christ as God made man; he cannot confess that God
came in the flesh. (According to 1 John 4:1-3, the servants of Satan cannot make this confession either).
Please learn and apply these matters, whether you are receiving a dream or vision, or whether you are exchanging notes with a
"prophet", "apostle" or "messenger of God". The truth will always be revealed through your faithful application of God's Word.
As a final note, beloved, please permit me to add an additional thought: If we confess and believe upon Jesus Christ as our
personal Lord and Savior, and if we believe in our hearts that He is God made man – God who came in the flesh, who lived a
perfectly sinless life among us and died on the cross for our sins… And in that confession and belief we claim our eternal
salvation, then the Spirit of God abides within us, and with His guidance, and by the blood of the cross, we have access to the
Throne of Glory.
With access to His Throne, it is our ultimate responsibility (and joy) to voluntarily spend time with Him. As we spend time with
the Lord of Glory, we learn to discern His voice and to distinguish the True Light from the false… And, the Spirit of God is
NEVER angered by our obedient testing, because the faithful application of 1 John 4:1-3 allows Him to praise and glorify the
name of Jesus Christ. Something He lives to do!
In the application of these things, beloved, you can have peace in all that you hear, knowing that the messages you receive in your
heart are truly from our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. PRAYER REQUESTS: (And Updates from last month).
* We prayed last month for Foula and Alexander, from Australia. Alexander has Spinabifida - He will have his first operation on
August 26, so please continue to pray for this family.
* Margaret is seeking the Lord's guidance for her career - working with youth for the Glory of God.
* Julie, Melissa, Mandy, Annie and Pamela - 4 teenage girls (of thousands) who are addicted to heroine. The youth of the world
need our prayers.
* Bobby & Susan are praying for the Lord's financial provision.
* Anna requests prayer for her Dad who is having financial problems, and for her sister who is out of work and in need of a job.
She also requests prayer for her Dad's salvation...
* Steve asks for prayer for "Turb" and Danielle, two teenagers who have recently come to the Lord through Internet chat rooms.
They both have been exposed to methamphetamine's, and need help. Danielle is also being abused by her father... Turb lives in
the Wichita Falls area of Dallas, TX, and Danielle lives in Scofield, Wisconsin. If you know of a suitable fellowship of believers in
either of these areas, or of a good home for Danielle, please let us know.
* We need to pray for all of the children – who are lost and abused!
* Pat is praising the Lord for the successful reconstruction of her right hand – we prayed for this surgery last month. Prayer is also
sought, as she must now have the work completed on her left hand.
* As always, please pray for our ministry…
5. FEEDBACK: Here are some of the comments I received in response to last month's article, "Beware the false prophets"…
* From E.J. "So many people are deceived, simply because they do not rightly weigh those things that enter their minds. So,
thanks!"
* From Mary: "I praise God for you and the stand you are taking against those who pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ."
* From M.S. "I whole heatedly agree, and thank you for standing up in the face of the profane prophetic, that is being revealed. It
is an urgent word for the body of Christ, and unto the prophetic ministries, to bring the plumb line visible unto us."
* A fresh perspective from Mary: "False prophets, Christ's apostles, teachers, shepherds, that are more
hireling than anything else.... you know they are a pain, but here's a perspective that might sweeten the heart for you... they are the common rubble just
as the true of these are the precious gems. Lotta rubble out there and few gems but oh boy when you find a gem you found
something ... yes? Soooooo if it weren't for the rubble where would the appreciation of the gems be?"
* Glen added, "I found myself both laughing and grieving over the nerve that some people have in taking the gift of God and
making it into a test for "club" membership. It is obvious that if one must declare themselves a prophet for all the world to know,
then they are NOT a prophet at all."
* From Dean, "I believe in all the gifts and offices of the Holy Ghost, but you are what you do, not what you claim."
* Pauline said, "I am annoyed to the point now of rebuking anyone who tries to control my walk with the Lord...Christian and
non- Christian..." My reply to Pauline was, "Good for you! Let the Holy Spirit be your guide, and you will do well."
* R & L said, "Many of us Pentecostal/Charismatic veterans have had enough of the error and so many have moved to mainline
because of it. We'd rather have no word than a false word! (Do we hear a collective – AMEN?)
* D. said, "If you think your the only one who dislikes these "false &%$#&@^#", and that is exactly what they are, you should
see inside me. I have experienced the anger of the LORD against such falseness. I can assure you that they have something
waiting for them, and it is the wrath of God."
And, to maintain balance in all things:
* On the surface it appears that you are correct in the confrontation of "wrong doctrine" or of others purporting "another gospel".
However, it is easy for ANYONE - in a position of easy communication to others in the church - to smear another brother's (or
sister's) ministry and even their very names!
In ancient times it was what The Pope specialized in by "anathema" (cursing or persecuting) the heretics. In modern times, it is
frequently called "M & A" or "Mark and Avoid" certain of the brethren, but also deals with persecuting others who hold different
doctrinal views that "the supreme leader" doesn't hold to be true."
My reply to this comment was simply that we named no names, and we spoke naught of any person or individual… Our article
was one of discernment; crying out to the body of Christ to maintain a faithful vigil against the false prophets who are sneaking in!
If you have any questions about the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Gospel, Faith or any pressing spiritual matter, please feel free to contact me. While I may not possess the answers personally, I know Who Does! Every effort will be made to secure the answer you seek.
Do you have a prayer request? Please share your needs with us... We will post your needs in our "Prayer Request" sections, and approach the Throne of God in a united front on your behalf.
We can be reached through email at: Contact
larry
Or, please feel free to mail your thoughts and requests to:
Larry Vosen
2600 E. Seltice Way, #203
Post Falls, ID 83854
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