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The Spirit May Depart, January 26
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought
worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted
the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:29
.
Those who resist the Spirit of God, and provoke Him to depart, know not
to what lengths Satan will lead them. When the Holy Spirit departs from
the man, he will imperceptibly do those things which once he viewed, in a
correct light, to be decided sin. Unless he heeds the warnings, he will wrap
himself in a deception that, as in the case of Judas, will cause him to become
a traitor and blind. He will follow step by step in the footsteps of Satan. Who,
then, can strive with him to any purpose? Will the ministers plead with him
and for him? All their words are as idle tales. Such souls have Satan as their
chosen companion, to misconstrue the word spoken, and bring it to their
understanding in a perverted light.
When the Spirit of God is grieved away, every appeal made through the
Lord’s servants is meaningless to them. They will misconstrue every word.
They will laugh at and turn into ridicule the most solemn words of Scripture
warnings, which, if they were not bewitched by satanic agencies, would make
them tremble. Every appeal made to them is in vain. They will not hear
reproof or counsel. They despise all the entreaties of the Spirit, and disobey
the commandments of God which they once vindicated and exalted. Well
may the words of the apostle come home to such souls, “Who hath bewitched
you, that ye should not obey the truth?” (
Galatians 3:1
). They follow the
counsel of their own heart until truth is no more truth to them. Barabbas is
chosen, Christ is rejected.
It is essential to live by every word of God, else our old nature will
constantly reassert itself. It is the Holy Spirit, the redeeming grace of truth
in the soul, that makes the followers of Christ one with one another, and one
with God. He alone can expel enmity, envy, and unbelief. He sanctifies the
entire affections. He restores the willing, desirous soul from the power of
Satan unto God. This is the power of grace. It is a divine power. Under its
influence there is a change from the old habits, customs, and practices which,
when cherished, separate the soul from God; and the work of sanctification
goes on in the soul, constantly progressing and enlarging.—
The Review and
Herald, October 12, 1897
.
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