Today's Passage - Matthew 12:31-37

Matthew 12:31-37   "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."             The Lord said that "anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Is it because the Holy Spirit is more honorable than God the Father and God the Son? No. It is because Holy Spirit is the One in Triune God that moves in our hearts. God the Father is the planner and creator, and God the Son is the executor. When Jesus came to the Earth, He performed the work of redemption on the cross. But Bible also tells us that Jesus has completed His redemptive work by His resurrection from the death and is now seated on the throne. He has completed His work, and now is the era where the Holy Spirit works.            Holy Spirit moves in us, prompting and correcting us: When we reject the Holy Spirit, we are rejecting the Triune God. Speaking against the Son of Man could still be forgiven, for the Holy Spirit will rebuke and enlighten you. If you receive the rebuke and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and start seeking forgiveness for the sin of speaking against the Son of Man, the salvation of the Lord will cover you. But if you speak against the Holy Spirit, and reject Him, there is no way the Lord's salvation could enter into our lives.             Just like Paul, who was named Saul before he came to know the Lord, was an important figure in the Synagogue. He went everywhere to persecute Christian, thinking that he was on fire for God, not realizing that he was in fact persecuting the Lord. When he was on his way to Damascus, the Spirit of the Lord shone upon him, and the Lord said to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" he asked. The Lord said to him, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." When the Holy Spirit shone upon Saul, he turned to the Lord right away. From this we know how anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Because if you accept the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and repent, salvation will come to you; but if you reject the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and do not repent, salvation will not come to you, and you will not be forgiven. May the Lord help us to accept the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and humbly turn back to Him, to receive His grace and mercy once again.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you, for Your Spirit always shine upon us and help us. May the Lord open our hearts and give us a gentle spirit that would accept the enlightenment and rebuke by the Holy Spirit. Help us to always turn back to You. I give thanks and pray all these in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!        Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!