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To: Forest Keeper
Do [Latins] believe that the Holy Spirit will leave the believer if they don't do specific things?

The answer is unquestionably "YES". I have discussed this with very reputable Catholic Freepers, and it is also the only logical conclusion if one holds to the view that salvation can be had, but then lost during life, for any reason, and then regained. The Holy Spirit will not reside or abide in the body of a lost soul, at the time. That would be a "serving two masters" dilemma, and we know that doesn't work.

I think I need to correct this. I think it would be better to say that the Holy Spirit's presence within us, His effect, (a spiritual being's presence is noted by their effects, according to most theologians) diminishes to nil IF the "believer" DOES do specific things, namely, those listed in 1 Cor 6:9-10 or Galatians 5. It is possible that the man become "dead" spiritually, because the life of Christ is no longer there, as 1 John states. We become spiritually dead. The Scriptures in Galatians notes the difference between the Spirit-influenced person and the one who is influenced by the flesh. Whether the Spirit actually vacates permanently the person, that's different. IF the Spirit actually left forever, then that person could NEVER repent!!! I don't see God giving up on us and returning to the fold (remember the shepherd parables?). The fact that a sinner CAN repent is proof that the Holy Spirit does not "vacate" entirely those whom He wills.

I hope this clarifies your response.

Regards

4,909 posted on 08/30/2007 5:53:55 AM PDT by jo kus
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To: jo kus
"'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace that fear relieved."

So shall we say the Holy Spirit was not there when the heart feared but the fears were not yet relieved? Not me. Where is the Holy Spirit NOT present? "If I go down into the pit, you are there."

Whether the Spirit actually vacates permanently the person,...

I think language fails us here, but if I were to accept, so that we could have a conversation, your manner of saying it, I would move to make it "permanently and/or entirely".

4,916 posted on 08/30/2007 6:37:28 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: jo kus; wmfights; Alamo-Girl; Cronos; hosepipe; MarkBsnr; Mad Dawg; betty boop; annalex
(Question:) Do [Latins] believe that the Holy Spirit will leave the believer if they don't do specific things?

FK: "The answer is unquestionably "YES"." ......

I think I need to correct this. [If a man does certain things the Spirit may become "dormant" such that the person is spiritually dead.] ...... Whether the Spirit actually vacates permanently the person, that's different. IF the Spirit actually left forever, then that person could NEVER repent!!! I don't see God giving up on us and returning to the fold (remember the shepherd parables?). The fact that a sinner CAN repent is proof that the Holy Spirit does not "vacate" entirely those whom He wills.

Thanks for your reply. Since we are talking about the indwelling Holy Spirit, as opposed to His influence alone, I don't understand your point about not being able to repent. Sinners originally repented before the Spirit indwelt, so (if the Spirit left) why couldn't they just do it again, theoretically? So, my understanding of the Catholic view was that the Spirit vacated, in most cases temporarily, until the person repented and then the Spirit would come back.

5,165 posted on 09/01/2007 7:33:34 PM PDT by Forest Keeper (It is a joy to me to know that God had my number, before He created numbers.)
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