18/09/2021 - DON’T RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT

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“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Acts 7.51

With Jesus’ departure from Earth, after He finished the mission entrusted to Him, we have to deal with the Holy Spirit, the other Comforter. His first task is to convince the world – of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16.8). The Holy Spirit does this with every saved person and also with those who resist what He makes them understand and continue in perdition. None of those who are lost will be able to claim that they don’t understand the plan of salvation.

There are stiff-necked people, who stiffen their necks in order not to show weakness. In fact, the saved are the truly strong ones, because they refuse to give in to the devil, resist his harmful proposals, and persevere in following the Lord. In some cases, one must intercede vehemently for the “irresponsible ones”, so that they will give up on the wrong decision and not be lost in darkness, where suffering will never end.

Jesus taught the parable of the lost sheep to bring it back to the true fold (Luke 15.4-6). According to Him, we will cause a celebration in Heaven: I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15.7). Why get lost, if the Kingdom of God will always be in celebration?

There are also the uncircumcised in heart and ear, who don’t accept the statements of the Holy Spirit. They understand the Lord’s plan, but act as if they were unaware, thinking that heavenly matters are not as God says. Now that is the height of perversity and deception! The Lord will confirm His Word, even if Heaven and Earth pass away (Luke 21.33). Believe!

The Jews who left Egypt were freed from the captivity that caused them shame and pain. However, even though they were heirs of the promise made to their fathers, they decided to return and settled down, serving that people lost in the worship of their gods. Likewise, there are those who have experienced salvation, and some have even been filled with the Spirit, but returned to sin, ignoring the destiny they will have forever. Why resist God? 

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the good Shepherd, who goes after the lost sheep until He finds it and delivers it from suffering – which will NEVER end. If you are one of these sheep, get out of the sinful path, for the torment will never end! Come back to the Lord right now, while there is still time. After the Judgment, there will be no second chance. God wants to hear your confession and your request for forgiveness. Pray!

On the way to Canaan, those fathers didn’t bend to the Truth, and many didn’t realize where they had come to, wishing to return to the Egyptian captivity. Now, the trial you are going through cannot be compared with the glory you will permanently experience. What is your decision? Repent!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares