Part 11 (1/2)
5. The last work of the Spirit which the word of G.o.d mentions is the ”_quickening of our mortal bodies_.” ”But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom. 8:11). This Spirit which has ever been with us, watching over us, will never leave us until he raises our bodies from the dead and fas.h.i.+ons our vile bodies like unto the glorious body of our Lord. It matters much where we now live; it matters little where and how we die. Our bodies may be buried in the unfathomed caves of ocean; they may lie upon some mountain-peak or be placed in a crowded cemetery of some great city. No stone may mark our resting-place, no friend may be able to find the spot and place a flower of love upon it; but that abiding-place is known to the infinite Spirit of G.o.d, and from our ashes he will quicken our bodies and present us faultless before the throne of G.o.d.
”I know not where His isles may lift Their fronded palms in air: I only know I can not drift Beyond His love and care.”
We have not s.p.a.ce in this chapter to notice other than the princ.i.p.al pa.s.sages which refer to the work of the Spirit as it relates to Christians, but in the five above mentioned there is no hint that he does anything in us other than through the instrumentality of the gospel, and there are no other pa.s.sages that teach a direct work upon us more clearly than those mentioned.
There are many pa.s.sages that trace the blessed and glorious work of the Spirit in us and through us, but they all confirm the clear statement quoted from the _Sunday School Times_ that he works _mediately_, and not _immediately_.
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THE PARTING WORD
_Blasphemy against the Spirit_. This is a subject that is intensely interesting to many people. They imagine that in some way unknown to themselves they _may_ have committed this act, and it causes them great concern. I will say that such people need have no alarm. The man who has actually committed this sin _never_ feels any alarm about it. He is the last man to feel concern over it. By reading the twelfth chapter of Matthew the reader can obtain a clear view of this sin. Jesus was being hounded by the Pharisees, who had determined to procure his death at all hazards. They were watching, exaggerating and criticizing everything he did.
He went on a Sabbath day through the field of corn and his disciples plucked and ate some of the corn. There was an immediate outcry of ”The Sabbath is violated.” Again, Jesus healed the man with a withered hand and the Pharisees went out and held a council to plan his destruction.
Again, there was brought to him a man possessed of a devil, rendering him blind and dumb. Jesus healed him by casting out the devil, so that he ”both saw and heard.” Casting out devils had always been regarded by the Jews as a direct work of the Spirit of G.o.d. The people are amazed, and proclaimed him the Son of David, or the Messiah. The Pharisees could not deny the fact, but they said: ”He does it by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.”
These three incidents show a disposition on their part to deliberately reject all testimony contrary to their plan to compa.s.s his death. They had rendered their verdict in advance and were not open to conviction, no matter _what_ testimony might be offered. Jesus tells them that if he casts out devils by Beelzebub, then Satan is divided against himself.
”But if I by the Spirit of G.o.d cast out devils, then is the kingdom of G.o.d come upon me” (Matt. 12:28). ”_Therefore_ I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come” (Matt. 12:31, 32). That these men had committed, or were in great danger of committing, this blasphemy is evident from the caution uttered above.