The sin of disobedience by Adam and Eve past on to us, not only the sin nature, but also the consequence of sin- death. I want to close this study by examining one last sin that is specifically mentioned in the Bible- the unpardonable sin.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. - Matthew 12:31-32
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: -Mark 3:29
We say that these verses talk about an unpardonable sin. What sin cannot be forgiven by God? Roman Catholics believe that suicide is an unpardonable sin, because there is no way possible to reconcile that sin after death. But, I don't see anywhere in the Bible where this is substantiated.
Jacob lied and cheated. David committed adultery and murder. Peter denied Christ. Paul persecuted and killed Christians, compelling them to blaspheme (Acts 26:11). And, I don't find that any of them lost their souls.
To blaspheme is to speak irreverently of God or spiritual matters, to curse God. The Bible doesn't speak of blasphemy too much, in fact, the word only appears 10 times throughout the whole Bible; blasphemy occurs 14 times; and blasphemed is in there 16 times.
Most of these references are people who have blasphemed God (cursed God) or have occasioned others to blaspheme. The Pharisees said that Christ blasphemed when he made himself equal with God in Matthew 26:65. And in the chapter that the unpardonable sin is mentioned the Pharisees said that Christ was casting out devils by the power of the prince of devils, Beelzebub.
Many people today use God's name in vain all the time! They tell Christians that they are full of devils often! But, that isn't the unforgivable sin. The unforgivable sin is against the Holy Ghost, not against Jesus and not against Christians.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -Romans 1:8
Those who ask God to forgive them and save them are given forgiveness. Even more, the condemnation (the fact that their sins should send them to hell) is taken away.
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
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. -Isaiah 1:18
...and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin -I John 1:7b
He has promised to forgive us and cleanse us from all sin. So, what sin could we possibly commit that goes against the Holy Ghost and that God cannot forgive us for?
The only sin that God couldn't possibly forgive is the sin of not asking Christ to save them. Jesus died a death that would pay the penalty of sin, and satisfy the requirements of the law. No one else can do that!
People somehow think that if they are good enough, or if they do enough good works, or if they..... but they can't.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; -Isaiah 64:6
You cannot perform good works to gain entrance to heaven because all of your good works are filthy. Everything that we do is tainted by sin. The only way to get to heaven to have someone who has never been tainted by sin pay the way for you! And the only person that ever met that requirement was Jesus Christ.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. -Romans 10:13
No matter what sins you may have committed you can be saved. You are not beyond hope. God will forgive anybody, because Jesus died for everybody!
And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. -I John 2:2
God is willing to forgive you if you'll come by way of the blood of Jesus.
There is only one sin which CANNOT be forgiven - rejecting Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Christ's blood covers all sin, so the only sin that wouldn't be covered is the one where you don't accept his free gift of salvation.
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -John 14:6
There is no other way into heaven. It doesn't matter what all the religions of the world teach. What matters is what God has to say because he's the one that judges you.
Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. -Mark 7:9
Many people fall into a trap from the devil that convinces them that they can work their way to heaven by doing something that has been taught by someone for years. But, that's a tradition! Tradition can't save you. Religion can't save you. Only Jesus blood can wash away sin and the consequences that come with it.
What if you sin after you are saved?
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. -Ephesians 4:30
When we sin, it grieves the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), but it isn't blaspheming him. We are promised in I John 1:9 that we can confess our sins and receive forgiveness. So, sinning after we are saved is not the unpardonable sin.
Why does it say that you blaspheme the Holy Ghost? Because, it's the spirit that convicts men of sin! It's the part of the trinity of God that you have to face and acknowledge to get to the truth of salvation.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. -I Corinthians 2:10
To deny the conviction of the Holy Ghost is to reject the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. And when you stand before God, He will not shrug and say, "Well, my son died a horrible death to pay for your sins, but you did a good enough job on your own!"
If you want to be saved, then it is not too late. If God was willing to forgive a mass-murder like Saul (the Apostle Paul), then He will forgive you too. If God was willing to forgive an adulterer and murderer like king David, then He will forgive you too. If God was willing to forgive a liar and cheater like Jacob, then He'll forgive you as well. He even forgave Peter for denying him in front of others!
You can only commit the unpardonable sin when you reject Christ as your Savior.
I would like to add that there is a time in the future which Christians refer to as the tribulation. I, personally, believe that it is during this time that people are in danger of the unpardonable sin.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? -Hebrews 10:29
Hebrews is written to Jews in the last days (Hebrews 1:1-2). During this time a person is saved by not only asking Christ to save them, but also by keeping the commandments and not taking the mark of the beast. If you read the verse this person was saved, but they did despite to the Spirit. Despite means in spite of, contempt, disdain. The person during the tribulation cannot be saved if they take the mark of the beast.
If you read the entire chapter of Hebrews 10, you will see that Paul is telling these people that their Messiah died for them and became the High Priest that they needed. He then tells them to hold fast their profession without waivering. He mentions the person that sins willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (salvation). He tells them they need patience (because they have to endure to the end of the triblation). And then he says in the last verse- But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. -Hebrews 10:39
Remember above when we read how you were sealed by the Holy Spirit? A person who takes the mark of the beast in the tribulation would have had the Holy Spirit in them and their actions would force him to leave. That would be an unpardonable sin!
To those who are not in the tribulation period, you have the easiest decision to make- will you accept what Christ did for you? Your actions don't help you achieve salvation, nor do they keep you for acquiring it.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. -Acts 16:31
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. -Romans 10:13
It's not too late. God will forgive you and save your soul. Only He can pay the punishment for your sins. Will you accept Him today?
To those who may read this during the tribulation. You can be saved. You just have to accept Christ's gift of salvation and keep the 10 commandments. My suggestion is that you stay in the word, ask Christ to forgive your sin often, and be ready to lose your life before you're willing to compromise.
