The Power of Repentance

Matthew 12:31-32
 
The Power of Sin in us: love avails but not our love for God.

• Humans go some way in search of solution to the problems with sin.
  

The Unforgiveable Sin – Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

• Context: Jesus drove a demon out of a man, and the religious leaders misconceived Jesus as possessing lord of demons.
  

The Problem of Forgiveness

• God wants to forgive so much, but people can put themselves outside the reach of his forgiveness.
• Sin against Jesus is forgivable, for he is a different kind of King. He is never offended. He always forgive willingly: "Father, forgive them."
• Don't put "my holiness against my love." The world is run by unforgiveness, revenge, etc. People get so easily offended in our so-called age of tolerance.
• Jesus is the perfect antidote for this.
  

The Power of Repentance

• Sin against Jesus is external (v.31); sin against the Holy Spirit is internal (v.32).
•  There's no off-limit actions God is not able to forgive (Psalm 25:11).
• But, if you resist, blaspheme, speak against the Spirit…. The religious leaders accredited the Holy Spirit to some demonic work.
• Solution – 1 John 1:9 (Unless you confess, you can never undo the damage. John 16:8 The Holy Spirit convicts the world of their sin.)
• If we resist, the tiniest sin can destroy our lives.
• Check your heart – what areas are you allowing the Spirit to work in your life? Take responsibility for your wrong. Don't resist the work of the Spirit – to confess and repent.
  

The Danger of Goodness – the most serious problem

• The religiously good people likely miss the gospel. See Lk 7, 15, 19; Jn 3, 4.
• The irreligious people are fast to respond to the gospel in faith.
• Jesus came to redefine what his Kingdom is all about (N.T. Wright), from "good vs bad" religion to "humble vs proud" gospel.
• Religion: I do good and God will reward me.
• Gospel: God helps me with the good new life in Christ, so I can live for him.

 
Are you a bit worried about being an unforgivable person? Good, and celebrate your worry as the work of Holy Spirit in you. We have a God of grace.
"Pardon my sin, oh God, because it is great." (Psalm 25:11)
Let us never be blinded by our own goodness, our religious pride that put us outside of God's amazing forgiveness!
 
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