Comments for True Quest

Comment on Exploring Dependence – The Father’s Gift by Garth Oliver

Garth Oliver — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:00:59 +0000

Dan, Let me begin by pointing out that this warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit was issued to the Pharisees, who were clearly not believers. This is a sin that can only be committed by unbelievers. The warning occurs in Matt 12:31; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10. Of these, Matthew gives us the most detailed account, helping us understand what Jesus meant by this. Beginning in Matthew 12:22, we find the following sequence of events leading up to the statement:

v. 22 - Jesus casts the demons out of a mute/blind man, healing him

v. 23 - The people recognize this as a sign of the Christ (Son of David = Messiah, Christ) and question whether this act points to Jesus as the Christ.

v. 24 - Rather than acknowledging Jesus as the Christ, the rulers attribute Jesus' power to Satan.

v. 25-27 - Jesus exposes the fallacy of the Pharisees' argument.

v. 28-29 - Jesus presents the other alternative, the correct one - He cast out these demons by the power of the Spirit of God. In this case the Kingdom, in the Person of the King (The Christ, Messiah, Son of David) is indeed in their midst. Ergo, through this power, the Spirit is testifying to Jesus' identity as The Christ, The King, The Son of David.

v. 30-32 - Thus, if the Pharisees attribute Jesus' actions to Satan and not the Spirit, they are blaspheming the Spirit. By rejecting this testimony of the Spirit, they are rejecting the very thing that will allow them to recognize Jesus as the Christ, believe in Him, and receive forgiveness. So, they remain under condemnation. By rejecting the testimony of the Spirit that Jesus is the Christ, they blaspheme the Spirit, and are rejecting the opportunity to be saved. That is the unpardonable sin.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – The Father’s Gift by Dan Payne

Dan Payne — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:19:07 +0000

So, about this unpardonable sin thing: “but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.” The Holy Spirit is indwelling for/to believers, and is not indwelling within unbelievers; ergo, only believers are capable of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Arriving to: Only believers are capable of commiting a sin which is unforgivable. This unforgivable offense may not affect our salvation (maybe), but, there are clearly eternal consequences. So, my final question is: “What is this offense for which we are not forgiven?”, or “How does (what does) blasphemy of the Holy Spirit look like?’, or more to the point: “How does 1 NOT blasphemy the Holy Spirit (and avoid eternal punishment)?”

Comment on Exploring Dependence – The Father’s Gift by Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:04:49 +0000

Great job Garth! Good gifts from God are truly out of this world and are other worldly. I appreciate your connecting the Spirits working before Pentecost. Really enjoyed dinner the other night it was great spending time with you and Kasie.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – The Father’s Gift by Charlie Bing

Charlie Bing — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:26:56 +0000

Good explanation. Always wondered, never really thought it out.

Comment on The Practical Pursuit of God’s Pleasure – Benefits of Suffering Well by Alexis

Alexis — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:33:05 +0000

In my work, I am brought back to this entry time and time again. Thank you Garth.

Comment on Christ, Christmas And Our Culture by Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:01:49 +0000

So true Garth. I believe that our culture is doing everything it can to so obscure and even change the meaning of Christmas that people just don’t know the truth. But then, as I teaching in our Advent Conspiracy series, the story of Christmas is the our story to tell, not the secular culture.

So thanks for asking the question.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – Pray Like Jesus by Mark Thayer

Mark Thayer — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:42:55 +0000

Really good stuff Garth. Thanks.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – Balancing the Agenda by Mark Thayer

Mark Thayer — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:25:28 +0000

I was stopped in my tracks this morning as I read “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Enjoy? Really? But life is such a struggle. Amazing how the struggle can over shadow what He has given for me to enjoy. He has always been faithful in giving me all that I need in my struggles, and I have always been thankful, but I failed to see how easy it is to miss the richness of His provision. It is not just for sustenance, i.e., bread and water, it has to do with His bounty. He supplies us with all things to enjoy out of His bounty. It resets the stage for me. His is rich. And He is disciplining me, instructing me, correcting me, reproving me, in this life of struggles, to perfect His character in me, so that at the right time He can lavish His bounty on me, knowing I will then receive it correctly. My view of life changes when I see that intent behind all of life’s struggles. Drastically changes, and creates in me afresh, who is this God that created me.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – Faithfulness in Money Management by Garth Oliver

Garth Oliver — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:15:47 +0000

Thanks, Jerry. I’ll keep an eye out for you.

Comment on Exploring Dependence – Faithfulness in Money Management by Jerry Edmonson

Jerry Edmonson — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:24:05 +0000

Garth – I so love your heart and your encouraging words. I hope to see you at Starbucks some time. Keep stewarding all you have been entrusted with.