Unity of the Spirit Ð Part Two
by Still-Free (Larry Whiston)
Epidemia of Hate
We live today in a time where abrasively cruel, dangerously insensitive, and severely calloused judgment renders merciless havoc upon the hearts and minds of countless unsuspecting, well-meaning individuals who have been ruthlessly crippled from well doing by carefully woven deceptions, interlaid with particles of truth from an unseen and often unnoticed force wielded against all who sincerely seek to follow the genuine will of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.To make matters worse, those who should be ranked, ready to fight by their side often injure a man or woman more severely than the rest of their enemies all placed together as a whole. This is true in the battles of ministry, in relationships, in pleasure and in work; in the entire spectrum of living. People seem to care more about how their own reputation and standing among men is affected than they do about the mind of God in a particular matter.
Why is this? Jealousy, greed, selfish-ambition, envy, fear, contention, confusion, depravity, wantonness, and these are merely a few! The Bible, in James 3:17 says the following: "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" Consider what this means! Paul, in his letter to the Romans says the following (Romans 7:10-11; 14-15; 24-25):
"And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me . . . For we know that the law is Spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not: for that which I would that do I not; but what I hate, that do I . . . O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin"
Without God, we are a people without hope! With God, we are a people at war against our three-fold enemy (the Flesh, the system of this world, and demonic forces battling relentlessly against all who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ). Who from among us will dare to stand against these enemies of our Lord?
It should never be said that one Brother or Sister in the Lord has turned his or her heart against another Brother or Sister! Consider:
1. 1 John 2:9 Those who say they are in the light, but hate their brother, are in darkness even until now.
2. 1 John 2:11 He that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
2. 1 John 2:11 He that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Ephesians 1:22-23:
1. God has put all things under the Feet of Jesus
2. Jesus is the Head of the Church
3. The Church is the fullness of the Body of Jesus Christ here in this world.
1. God has put all things under the Feet of Jesus
2. Jesus is the Head of the Church
3. The Church is the fullness of the Body of Jesus Christ here in this world.
In other words; When we reject a Brother or Sister, we are rejecting a piece of Jesus' Body! Don't you get it? This is why Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthian Church says the following: 1 Corinthians 11:27-29:
"Wherefore whoseever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord . . . For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's Body"
Who's Body? The Lord's Body, which is "Parted Out" so to speak among every Brother & Sister in the Church! When we reject, abandon, discard, and judge a Brother or Sister, we do so against the Body of our Lord!
The Bible says the following about those who trust Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls:
1. Romans 8:1 There is no condemnation.
2. Romans 8:33-34 We cannot be charged or condemned by anyone.
3. Romans 8:38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
4. Psalm 32:5 Sin & guilt have both been forgiven.
5. 1 John 1:9 We are forgiven & cleansed from all unrighteousness.
6. Hebrews 10:14 By the offering of Jesus Christ, we have been perfected forever.
2. Romans 8:33-34 We cannot be charged or condemned by anyone.
3. Romans 8:38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
4. Psalm 32:5 Sin & guilt have both been forgiven.
5. 1 John 1:9 We are forgiven & cleansed from all unrighteousness.
6. Hebrews 10:14 By the offering of Jesus Christ, we have been perfected forever.
Why then do we unfairly criticize and condemn people who have a background of less than favorable circumstances? Why do we so often surrender ourselves to the tumultuous assaults of doubt and fear? Why do we listen and adhere so attentively, so decisively to the onslaught of terror against those who are trusting Jesus Christ for the transformed life He promised them in the Scriptures of God's Word? More importantly, Why do we put the Blood of Jesus Christ on trial? God says the Blood of Jesus is sufficient to forgive and cleanse away sin & guilt. Why do we human beings insist upon a higher standard and penalty for sin?
Scripture tells us that there is only one sin which will not be forgiven: Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Matthew 12:31 "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." If this is the only sin recorded by Scripture (out of the mouth of Jesus Christ) to be unforgivable, why do we hold some categories of sin against people unmercifully?
What is Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? Consider the context:
Matthew 12:22-23 Jesus was casting out demons & healing people.
Matthew 12:24 The Pharisees heard it, and accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, prince of the devils.
Matthew 12:25-26 Jesus talks about a kingdom divided against itself, and states that such a kingdom cannot stand.
Matthew 12:27 Jesus poses the question that if He casts out demons by Beelzebub, whom do their children cast them out? He charges that their own children will be their judges.
Matthew 12:28-29 Jesus states that only by binding a strongman can one spoil his house.
Matthew 12:30 Jesus charges that whoever is not with Him is against Him; and he that does not gather with Him, scatters abroad.
Matthew 12:31 Quoted above concerning Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 12:24 The Pharisees heard it, and accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, prince of the devils.
Matthew 12:25-26 Jesus talks about a kingdom divided against itself, and states that such a kingdom cannot stand.
Matthew 12:27 Jesus poses the question that if He casts out demons by Beelzebub, whom do their children cast them out? He charges that their own children will be their judges.
Matthew 12:28-29 Jesus states that only by binding a strongman can one spoil his house.
Matthew 12:30 Jesus charges that whoever is not with Him is against Him; and he that does not gather with Him, scatters abroad.
Matthew 12:31 Quoted above concerning Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
From this, I see that the Pharisees, hearing the works of God's Holy Ghost, attributed it to the works of satan. It was an attempt to discredit God in the life of His Son, Jesus Christ! And, this was the cause for Jesus' statement in Matthew 12:31 "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." Therefore, I conclude that this is what He meant by Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. It is not, as some erroneously conclude some measurement, or standard for certain types or classifications of criminal behavior!
Some people truly believe they have committed the "Unpardonable Sin." They say things like: "You don't know where I've been." Or "The sins I've committed are far too serious for God to forgive me." People who judge, say similar things about the people they are judging. But consider:
Romans 2:4 states the following: "Or despiseth thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance"
John 1:12-13 states the following: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God"
John 6:44 states the following: "No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day"
John 1:12-13 states the following: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God"
John 6:44 states the following: "No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day"
From this we see that repentance begins and ends with God; it is His gift to us. It appears that we do not have the capacity to come to Him on our own. Therefore, if we still feel badly about sin, God's Holy Spirit is at work within our hearts. And according to John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and I will in no wise cast out"
We further see in Romans 1:18-25 a form of Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Consider:
Who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them.
when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image.
changed the truth of God into a lie.
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it to them.
when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image.
changed the truth of God into a lie.
Question: Does this sound familiar to what the Pharisees did as quoted in Matthew 12:22-31 above?
And, as a penalty for this, see Romans 1:21-32 where God:
Allowed them to become vain in their imaginations.
Allowed their foolish hearts to darken.
Gives them up to uncleanness.
Gives them up to vile affections.
Gives them over to a reprobate mind.
Allowed their foolish hearts to darken.
Gives them up to uncleanness.
Gives them up to vile affections.
Gives them over to a reprobate mind.
I believe, that if a person has the ability to feel badly about sin, it is a gift from God. I further believe that when they do feel badly about sin, this proves that they have not committed the "Unpardonable Sin" Spoken about in Matthew 12:31. It would be inconsistent with my understanding of the principles of Scripture.
How then can we judge a man or woman with anything but Mercy and Grace as God Himself receives all who come to Him? As human beings, we are so quick to abandon and discard, to reject and snub, to discriminate and categorize; but in reality, can we truly afford to do these things? Matthew 6:14-15 says quite clearly: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" And John 8:36 further states: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" This is true for YOU, and it is also true for OTHERS! Let us not partake in the "Epidemia of Hate." Instead, let us stand in rank together as the One In Christ Body of Believers we are supposed to be!
Ephesians 4: 2-3
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unit of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Still-Free/Larry Whiston
October 13, 2007
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