The One Thing

Suppose you were injured during a hike in the mountains. Further suppose that the only way you could be rescued was by helicopter.

While you are being lifted into the hovering helicopter by way of a long rope you are free to do anything you like. You could sing or play some kind of odd game. You could drop lit matches onto the forest below, praise the helicopter pilot, besmirch his dog, call the helicopter people all kinds of names. You could do anything you like, and the people in the helicopter would continue to raise you up – to save you. That’s their job.

There is, however, one thing you must never do. If you do it, you cannot be saved. You must not reach up with your handy, super-sharp survival knife and cut the rope. You see the problem don’t you? Once you have cut the rope, you will plummet to your death and there is absolutely nothing the helicopter people can do to change that.

Matthew recorded this statement by Jesus in Matthew 12:30-31 (NLT)

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven — except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.”

As a born-again Christian, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is your comforter; your constant companion and your connection with God-the-Father. In a sense, He is like the helicopter rope. The Holy Spirit has a function in your salvation. You can commit sins of all kinds, but if you honestly ask for forgiveness you will be forgiven and you will be saved. However, if you blaspheme the Spirit, you sever that saving connection. And, like the helicopter rope, there is no way for you to be saved.

As you draw closer to God, more sins will become apparent, and you will ask for an increasing amount of forgiveness. All that is fine – just never ever blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

Copyright © 2022 by Sam Dronebarger
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