Devotional #11: God Pursues Us
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
-I John 1-9 NIV
In a prior devotional, we have established the availably of permanent salvation through the grace of God alone. But, many Christians wonder whether their loved ones who have passed were able to accept salvation through Christ beforehand. I have come to believe that God pursues people up to the very point of passing. This is evidenced by the many people who have been confronted by Christ while in comas, as revealed by a simple internet search. Also, with illness people tend to sleep deeply. Increasingly, Jesus is appearing to people in dreams. This phenomenon of Jesus appearing in dreams is so common even among the Muslim world that it has become the subject of many books, sermons and news articles.
The fact that God pursues us up to the very end is also founded in scripture, as David writes in the Psalms:
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139: 7-12.
Another example occurs during the crucifixion of Christ, when a thief on the cross was dying next to Jesus and asked to be remembered. Jesus told him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV. Indeed, God desires to save us all and is patient so he may do so. As further evidence, Peter tells us that the second coming of Christ has not yet occurred because “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
For others, the issue is whether loved ones have sinned so much that they could not receive salvation. This fear is also not founded in scripture or history, as shown in the account of Paul. Before becoming an apostle, Paul persecuted multitudes of Christians, and described himself as the “worst of sinners,” and “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” 1 Timothy 1:13,16 NIV. Paul then explains that saving sinners, even murderers and blasphemers is the very reason why Jesus came into our world, again emphasizing Christ’s patience: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me…[that] Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV.
Christ is clear on this matter. He states: “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” Matthew 12:31 NIV.
So what exactly is this unforgivable sin? The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association explains it well:
The sin of the religious leaders [described in Matthew 12], blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, was a refusal to accept the witness of the Holy Spirit to who Jesus was and what He had come to do, and then submit their lives to Him. Jesus said concerning the Holy Spirit, “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). They chose rather to reject the Spirit’s witness to their sin and to Jesus, and accused Him of being demon possessed! The point for us is that if we have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we have not blasphemed the Holy Spirit; we have accepted His witness.
If you fear you have lost a friend of loved one before they accepted the free gift of Christ’s salvation, rest assured that Christ pursues all to the very end with the abundance of forgiveness and exceptional patience that only He can provide.
For Additional Study & Discussion
1. Watch the story of Robert Maasbach, pastor of Life Church UK, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAExSMvGWJg&t=17s. What does this story tell us about God’s patience and pursuit of people? What hope does that give us for our loved ones who have gone before us?
2. Read the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. What does this tell us about people who accept salvation toward the end of their lives?
3. What are your thoughts on the sin of Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit being defined as “ a refusal to accept the witness of the Holy Spirit to who Jesus was and what He had come to do, and then submit their lives to Him”? Think of one person in history who may have committed Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Perhaps Judas Iscariot, Pharaoh, or Hitler? What evidence do we have that they committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?