Q. When I was 12, 1 was baptized. I thought I loved the Lord, but I was influenced by my friends. I’m now 22 and am afraid I have gone too far to ever be a Christian again. Please can you give me some hope?

A. Yes, I can. I have good news for you. In the years you have been unfaithful to God, He has never deserted you.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deut. 31:6,8; see also 2 Peter 3:9; Joshua 1:5; Heb. 13:5).

When I was a youth, I saw my hard-drinking profane, Irish grandfather, give his heart to Christ            at the age of 81 and become transformed by His grace. I knew it was the power of the gospel and the long patience of our God.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25).

No doubt Satan will test you sorely. He will seek to discourage you: he will suggest that you are hopeless. But when you cast your life upon Jesus you can confidently affirm that “Jesus died to save me not to destroy me.”

Some wonder if they have committed the unpardonable sin, the sin a against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31). This occurs when we have irreversibly turned our back upon the pleading of the Holy Spirit so that 1000 years of more opportunities wouldn’t make any difference. But your very question makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is still active in wooing you back to Christ. Yet, I must warn you that it is very dangerous to continue to resist the loving appeals of the Holy Spirit. Now is the day of salvation. (Romans 13:11; Luke 19:9; 2 Cor. 6:2).            

Vol.5 No.4

Q. Is the Holy Spirit an impersonal, universal power (energy)?

A. The fact that the Holy Spiritwas manifested sometimes in an impersonal manner, like at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-3), leaves some people with -the impression

that the Holy Ghost is an impersonal power, a huge force that rules the universe. Let's see what the Bible says. There are many passages that describe the Holy Spirit as a person, having all the characteristics of an individual personality.

The Holy Spirit speaks to men '(1 Timothy 4: 1) and teaches God's children: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrances, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). He also guides all who seek truth "'into all the truth" and will show them "things to come" (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit also reproves "'the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8) and then invites the sinners to repentance and to accept God's -free gift of salvation (Revelation 22:17). He distributes gifts to the children of God (see 1 Corinthians 12:11). The Spirit of God inspired -the prophets and the writers of the Bible: "...but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). The third person of the Godhead makes intercession for the repentant sinners: "'Likewise the Spirit also helpeth with our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit not only does the work of a person, but also has feelings. Ephesians 4:30 says, "...grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the -day of redemption."' A force or auniversal power, or an energy cannot be grieved. This feeling is.something that can only belong to a personal being.