The Unforgivable Sin
What is unforgivable sin? Jesus gives an answer to this question in Mathew 12 and Mark 3. The Pharisees claimed that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons. He knew what they were thinking and for that reason, he stated the unforgivable sin as that of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. “For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Mathew 12:31). The Pharisees refused to acknowledge Jesus as the messiah; instead, they chose to speak falsely against him. They called the work of the Holy Spirit as the work of the devil and that Jesus was not the son of God. It is because of such hard heartedness that punishment occurs.
Another account showing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the account of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum. Jesus performed miracles in their midst, taught them the word of God repeatedly, preached repentance to them and offered them salvation. Even with all these, they still rejected the word of God and the convincing work of the Holy Spirit. They did not heed to the prophetic words to turn away from their sins. They continued in their old ways of permanent rejection of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them a warning that there would be no forgiveness for such a sin and that they would not escape judgment.
Why is the sin unforgivable? From the above context, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable since it is slanderous against the nature of God himself. It is speaking ill about God, which is exactly the opposite of praise. Jesus shows that speaking against him is forgivable because most people do so out of failure to realize his identity and his Messianic nature. Apostle Paul is an example of someone who received forgiveness for speaking against Jesus Christ himself. He persecuted Christians every turn he got a chance for he believed that doing so was his actual calling. He thought that it was right before God to kill the Christians whom he viewed as breakers of the Mosaic Law by their acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah.
It is blasphemy in the Jewish tradition for anyone to claim that he is the son of God. When Jesus announced that he is the son of man, he received an outcry of anger from the Pharisees, Paul being one of them. They failed to realize his divine nature in forgiving sins and salvation of the oppressed. As later shown in the bible, there is proof that blasphemy against the son of God is forgivable. Jesus forgave Paul while on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Paul later accepted Jesus Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit in his life, which transformed him completely. It turned him from a hardhearted man rejecting the nature of Jesus Christ to a powerful and convincing witness of Jesus Christ. So strong was Paul’s conviction that he almost single handedly preached the gospel to the whole world.
In the book of John, it is evident that all other kinds of sins or blasphemy are forgivable by God. “If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death. There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that he should ask about that” (1John 15:16). Not only can one receive forgiveness if they pray and repent, but also when a fellow Christian prays on his behalf for pardon from God. This shows that all other kinds of blasphemy are forgivable except that sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. John recognizes that there is sin that results into death of the sinner. He notes there is nothing that one can do concerning such a sin on behalf of his/her brother. The Sin results in death because it is unforgivable in the eyes of God. Christians should be careful when praying on behalf of their brothers and sisters since it is not wise to seek forgiveness on behalf of those who reject the work of the Holy Spirit.
The sin is unforgivable since it is an outright rejection of the grace that God offers humanity through Jesus Christ Himself. “He who rejects Jesus means he is against him for he who is not with me is against me and he, who does not gather with me, scatters what I have already gathered, “These are the words used by Jesus Christ in warning the Pharisees against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. They refused to acknowledge the truth and witness of God’s spirit. Instead they chose darkness by attributing the work of God to the devils work. This means that their attitude is trivializing the works and nature of the Holy Spirit. To God this is unacceptable sin leading to death.
For those who accept Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, there will be no Judgment against them for they have accepted the precious gift of Grace granted to them by God. They accept that Jesus is the son of God consistent with God’s will that humanity should accept his son. God grants the forgiveness and breath of life through Jesus. By no other means will anyone receive salvation of sins committed. Anyone who rejects him rejects the spirit of God and salvation, which means there is no hope of forgiveness and repentance for such an individual here on earth or in the life after. They will surely face destruction and Judgment for refusing to accept the son of man in their lives.
Having known the unforgivable sin is and why it is not forgivable, one has to understand whether he has committed the sin, when and how. In his book, Larry Richard explains that any person who actively seeks forgiveness is not guilty of rejecting the Holy Spirit. He states this fact because many Christians live in fear and are constantly troubled that they have committed the grievous sin and that they will not receive forgiveness. Richard asserts that unlike the Pharisees who found it even hard to come to terms with the basic and simple fact that Jesus was the son of God, anyone who feels guilty and remorseful for their sins is evidence enough that he/she has not committed the grievous sin. The attitude that the Pharisees expressed is different from the one expressed by someone seeking forgiveness. A repentant person accepts the responsibility of his/her sins and acknowledges that Jesus is the son of God who is able to forgive sins. Knowing that Jesus is the son of God is indeed accepting the spirit that works in him and what he stands for. It is different from the Pharisees who rejected both his identity and the spirit that works in him.
When one’s conscience troubles him over the sins committed, it is an assurance that the Holy Spirit has not forsaken him. The guilty conscience is there to serve as a warning sign that one has to return to the right path of righteousness. One should heed to the warning and repent while the grace is still sufficient. “Seek the LORD while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby! The wicked should abandon their sinful lifestyle. They should return to the LORD, and he will show mercy to them, and to their God, for he will freely forgive them” (Isaiah 55:6-7). Those abandoned by the Holy Spirit become dead in their sensitivity to sin. They commit sin continually without any remorse or guilty conscience. God punishes such people by giving them up to their depraved minds so that they do that which is no proper as expressed in the book of Romans.
. Even though God promises forgiveness to those who accept Christ, there is a risk in continually committing willful sins. “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26). God punishes such souls by hardening their hearts and giving them up to their desires. They follow their bodily desires, which lead them into more sins and drive them further from God so that there is no hope for their salvation.
Finally, is it possible for a true Christian to commit sin against the Holy Spirit? From the discourse, it is evident that a true Christian cannot commit such a sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the adamant refusal to accept the cross and salvation offered to you through Jesus Christ even after having witnessed his goodness and word. True Christians accept the Holy Spirit and Nature of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts them of their sins and they live a new life in Jesus Christ. It is therefore not possible for a true Christian to blaspheme the Holy Spirit for they have already accepted Christ. “Therefore, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans10:12).Those who continually sin and deny the existence of Jesus Christ even after receiving the word only commit the sin.
Anyone who speaks contrary to the Holy Spirit and yet claims that he is from God is surely a liar. Christians should watch out against such individuals for they are committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. If Christians follow teachings from such men, they are likely to sin too and face judgment in the end. A true Christian and witness of the Holy Spirit must confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ in actions and deeds. This is proof that such an individual is from God. The Holy Spirit perfects salvation, only when one accepts Jesus Christ.
References
Gainesville. (2001). The Evidence Bible . Florida: Bridge-logo Publishers.
Morris, H. M. ( 1995). The Defender's Study Bible. Iowa: World Bible Publishers.
Revell, F. H. (1993). Questions Answered pp. 241-242. Michigan: Grand Rapids.
