Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

12 October 2024

Reading From Matthew 12:22-50, Luke 11

“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

 –Matthew 12:28-32

     The strong man is Satan and his house is wherever darkness pervades in our present reality.  Those who have not surrendered their wills to the Father are living in that darkness as enemies of God.  Darkness has no fellowship with the light.  Faith in Jesus Christ transforms us from enemies to friends, even sons and daughters.  All of this is accomplished by the blood of the Lamb applied by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our new birth experience is a miracle of the Spirit. 

     There are those, even believers, who ridicule the work of the Holy Ghost in our modern age.  We are told here in Matthew 12 that those who are critical of God the Spirit will not be forgiven.  He bears fruit in our lives, blesses us with spiritual gifts and works countless miracles.  To resist the greatest miracle of all, the salvation of our souls, is to commit the unpardonable sin.  Rejecting redemption leaves not alternative to an eternity separated from the Presence of God.  We must be careful to be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit, test the spirits, and honor the work of one true and Living God. 

“Lord God, I respect Your Holy Spirit, His work in my life and in the world around me.  I pray that I would be sensitive to His promptings, listen intently for His voice, and obey Him out of love for You.  Bring revival to our community, our nation and our world.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD

 –Isaiah 11:2