The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 622

:

LOVE

582

There is also a mere "giving up,'' or " letting alone." This is followed by the more gloomy " darkening." And only then comes the deadly operation in in its worst and its proper and limited sense, " hardening of heart, most fearful degree. The mildest and yet awful form of this destruction consists in the fact that, according to the testimony of the apostle, the Lord gives the impenitent sinner over to a reprobate mind " Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator" (Rom. i. 24, 25). Again he declares in verse 26: " For this to the sinner, is in itself a hardening of heart.

:

;

cause

God gave

time in verse 28

them up unto vile affections." " :

And

knowledge, God gave

And

as they did not like to retain

theju over to

for the third

God

in their

a reprobate mind, to do things

that are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness."

This "giving up"

is

related to the "darkening" of which St.

Paul speaks in the same connection in their imaginations,

and

(ver. 21)

" They became vain was darkened." In the words of Isaiah

:

their foolish heart

Rom. xi. 8, he describes the same thing in " God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, ears that they should not hear." Thus fho." darkening" axid." the spirit "

0/ slumber"

a.rQth.Q,

gradual transitions between the

being given over to a reprobate mind"

and the

"

hardening of heart"

in its proper sense.

When a sinner is given over to a reprobate mind, the Lord allows him the desire of his heart. He had opened for him another way but the sinful heart's desires and inclinations bend in a differ;

ent direction.

At

first,

divine Love, watching over him, prevents

And for this he would thank were right. But he murmurs at this loving interference of his heavenly Father, and seeks the means to obtain what God so far denies him. A painful tension is the result on the one hand, the sinner bent upon the execution of his evil intentions; and on the other, God, who temporarily prevents this by withholding the opportunity. But when the sinner persists in his evil course and sears his conscience, then God finally withdraws His loving care; the tension ceases; He lets the sinner have his desire and the latter, given over to a reprobate mind, revels in the gratification of his unholy passions; and, instead of mourning in repentance before the holy God, enjoys his victory.

him from God,

if

gratifying these desires.

his heart

:

;

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