Letters of Thomas Charles IX: The Danger of Grieving the Spirit
In today’s episode of The Whole Counsel Podcast, Dr. John Snyder continues his examination of the writings of Welsh pastor Thomas Charles of Bala, focusing on the final section of his essay, “The Operations of the Holy Spirit.” Charles considers the seriousness of grieving the Holy Spirit, particularly when believers respond with carelessness and ungratefulness toward the One who has shown them such extraordinary love. Grieving the Spirit occurs when Christians neglect His work, indulge in sin, and fail to respond to His gracious influence. How especially grievous this becomes when we consider the many comforts and mercies we have already received from Him.
Why is the Spirit so grieved when a believer sins? Charles writes, “ He is grieved because He loves us and has our holiness much at heart, for to promote our holiness and happiness is the object of the office He exercises.” Because of this, we should desire to please Him by gratefully receiving His comforts and willingly following His convictions even when they require self-denial. The episode is ultimately a call to consider the extraordinary love of the Spirit and ask whether our lives are making a fitting return for such grace.
SHOW NOTES
📖 Thomas Charles’s Spiritual Counsels | Banner of Truth
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