The Unpardonable Sin by David J. Stewart

This something that has always bothered me, especially when I hear the Roman Catholic Pope embracing the likes of Lady Gaga, who sings derogatorily about of the Holy Spirit! Anyway, I had posted something on this before: The Unpardonable Sin by John Ritenbaugh.

Unpardonable Sin

During His physical life on earth, Jesus often exercised His Deity by performing miracles through the Divine power of the Holy Ghost. In Matthew 12:22-32 the Pharisees witness one of the Lord's many miracles. Then, instead of believing on Jesus, they accused Him of performing miracles through the power of the Devil. He then told them that men could be forgiven for blasphemy (evil and hurtful speaking) against men and against Him, but that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost could NEVER be forgiven. A companion reference for this is found in Mark 3:30, where we are told WHY Jesus said this to them: "Because they said, he hath an unclean spirit."

It is important to note that nothing is said about this particular sin after Calvary. It is only mentioned during the life of Christ on earth, while He was working genuine miracles by the power of the Holy Ghost. It is also needful to understand that blasphemy is a sin of the TONGUE. A person could not commit blasphemy with thoughts or actions. It was strictly a sin of the tongue, and it could only be committed by openly accusing Jesus Christ of working through Satanic power.

Some teach that this sin may still be committed today, but there is no scriptural support for this. In fact, when Jesus later speaks of the coming of the Holy Ghost to indwell believers, He said that the Holy Ghost would convict the world of three things: sin, righteousness, and judgment. He then said that the Holy Ghost would convict the world of SIN for ONE REASON: "because they believe not on me." (Jhn. 16:7-11) It seems that if blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was to be the greatest sin of this age that Jesus would have used this opportunity to warn us about it, but He warned us about UNBELIEF instead. Some Charismatic groups, who profess to be LED by the Holy Ghost, are in the habit of accusing anyone who opposes them of blaspheming the Holy Ghost. For example, some Charismatics would say that I have blasphemed the Holy Ghost in this booklet, because I have written things in opposition to their practice of speaking in unknown tongues and faith healing. That's baloney. Even if they WERE doing all these things by the Holy Ghost (which they are not), it still would not be unpardonable to speak against it. Many people have spoken against great Christian works and then gotten saved later. The Apostle Paul is a good example (Acts 8-9). The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL SIN (I Jhn. 1:9), and if you want to commit the unpardonable sin in this age, then you will have to reject Jesus Christ as your Savior. Go ahead and reject Christ, and when you stand before God at the White Throne Judgment, you will NOT be forgiven.

Now we do realize that a person can reject Christ for so long that God the Holy Ghost pulls away and stops convicting that individual. In which case the individual never receives Christ, never receives forgiveness of sin, and goes to Hell (Pro. 1:23-33; Isa. 55:6-7; Jhn. 12:37-43), but only God knows when a person crosses that line. No man on this planet has any scriptural authority for telling someone that God will never forgive them for their sins.

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The Unpardonable Sin

By David J. Stewart

"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." -Matthew 12:31

There is much heresy and confusion today surrounding the Biblical doctrine of the UNPARDONABLE SIN. What is the unpardonable sin, i.e., what sin cannot be forgiven by God? I'll tell you in a bit, but first what its not...

Misconceptions Concerning the Unpardonable Sin

Roman Catholics believe that suicide is an unpardonable sin, because there is no way possible to reconcile that sin after death. This is a myth, and unscriptural. When a person comes to Jesus Christ as a guilty sinner, under the condemnation of God (Romans 3:10,19), and places their faith solely in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of those sins (Galatians 3:26)--then ALL sins are forgiven forever, including future sins (Romans 8:1; Psalm 103:12). The Catholic teaching of mortal sins verses venial sins is unbiblical. All sin is mortal (James 2:10). When a man believes on Jesus Christ, then he obtains HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., Jesus' righteousness (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Romans 10:3,4). At salvation, Christ's righteousness is imputed to us, and we are declared "justified" in God's eyes (JUST-IF-ID never sinned).

A Christian CANNOT commit the unpardonable sin. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Only an unbeliever can commit the unpardonable sin, and many do. If a Christian commits suicide, they still go to Heaven. As true believers, we don't run to the priest (a sinful man himself) to forgive our sins. Folks, ONLY God can forgive sin (Mark 2:7; 1st Timothy 2:5). Please read, Who Can Forgive Sins?

Another misconception about the unpardonable sin is that God will not allow such a person to repent if they so desire. The Bible clearly states in Isaiah 1:18... "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." The Hebrew word for "crimson" is interesting. It refers to a worm used to make clothing dye. Thus, God is saying that although your life may seem permanently stained with sin, He can cleanse you as white as wool. This is the power of Jesus' precious blood that cleanses our sins away, "...and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1st John 1:7). As long as you are alive on this earth, it's never too late for a person to get saved.

Some people believe that there are certain sins, which if a person commits, will cause God to seal their doom; thus, preventing them from ever being saved. This heresy goes totally contrary to the plainest teachings of the Scriptures. We read the precious Words in 2nd peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Don't you tell me that if a man comes to God, realizing his guilt, and desires for the Savior to forgive his sins--that God will turn him away. Jesus plainly stated... "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." The phrase "All that the Father giveth me" simply refers to those who yield to the conviction of God's Holy Spirit, and thus come to Christ for salvation. No one is CHOSEN for salvation. Jesus PROMISED that He would never cast out anyone who comes TO HIM for salvation.

Now it is possible for a person to commit sin, and become hardened beyond the point of hope; but they have condemned themselves. God is still WILLING to save them, just as 2nd Peter 3:9 tells us. Titus 3:10,11 state, "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." There are many such fools today, who won't listen to reason.

Won't God Send Strong Delusion to the Unsaved?

Didn't God say that He would send strong delusion to unbelievers left behind at the Rapture? Not exactly, God said that He would send strong delusion to those who conscientiously REJECT THE TRUTH. 2nd Thessalonians 2:10:11 states, "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." Carefully notice the reason why God will send people strong delusion in the Tribulation Period... because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. They will have already made a conscientious decision to REJECT the Savior! It is those people whom God will harden. God never hardens anyone unless He knows in His foreknowledge that they are beyond hope, such as Pharaoh in Moses' time. Anybody who wants to come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness may... "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). No matter what sins you may have committed, if you have a sincere desire to repent by turning to Jesus Christ in faith, you can be saved. You are not beyond hope. The important thing is that you realize you're a GUILTY sinner, under the condemnation of God's Law (Romans 3:19), and then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior for the forgiveness of those sins (Acts 4:10-12; 16:31; 20:21).

God will forgive anybody, because Jesus died for everybody! 1st John 2:2 states, "And he [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." How much clearer could the Bible be on this matter? Whatever depths of sin you may have gone to, God is willing to forgive you, if you'll come by way of the blood of Jesus.

The Unpardonable Sin is Rejecting Jesus Christ as Your Savior

There is only one sin which CANNOT be forgiven--rejecting Jesus Christ as your Savior. In other words, none of your sins can be forgiven apart from the precious blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:22). God is willing to forgive a person of ANY sin, except the sin of not coming to God the Father through the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus stated in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." There is no salvation apart from God our Savior... "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour" (Isaiah 43:10,11). Also, this Scripture clearly reveals the deity of Jesus, i.e., that He is Almighty God.

For a tragic example of those who commit the unpardonable sin... meet the RATIONAL RESPONSE SQUAD (RRS), a group of Atheists who have launched a website called The Blasphemy Challenge (which offers to send people a DVD if they post on Youtube.com a video of themselves condemning themselves to Hell).

Says the website...

"There's only one catch: We want your soul... It's simple. You record a short message damning yourself to Hell, you upload it to YouTube, and then the Rational Response Squad will send you a free 'The God Who Wasn't There' DVD."

The website further states...

"You may damn yourself to Hell however you would like, but somewhere in your video you must say this phrase: 'I deny the Holy Spirit'... Why? Because, according to Mark 3:29 in the Holy Bible, 'Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.' "

These quotes are directly from their website! Also see their other website. They HAVE committed the unpardonable sin by deliberately rejecting Jesus Christ. They have DENIED the Holy Spirit. They have blasphemed the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They are not ignorant, but have full knowledge of the sin they are committing.

Many people today are guilty of committing the unpardonable sin, such as Roman Catholics. In Mark 7:9 Jesus said, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Catholics, in full knowledge, REJECT God's Word, following their manmade traditions instead. They have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, by shunning His conviction, and instead elevating man's traditions above God's Word. There can be NO salvation apart from the righteousness of Christ, which is obtained ONLY through the precious blood of Jesus (1st Peter 1:18,19). One does not have to audibly deny the Holy Spirit to commit the unpardonable sin. To say "NO" to the conviction of the Holy Spirit regarding salvation is to damn one's self to the Lake of Fire forever (2nd Thessalonians 1:8,9; Revelation 20:11-15).

It's important for the reader to understand that the Holy Spirit is Christ's Spirit... "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). Thus, you cannot speak evil of Jesus without also speaking evil of God the Father and the Holy Spirit. To deny Jesus Christ is to deny God's Holy Spirit. 1st John 1:22,23 plainly state... "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." You cannot deny Christ, as Judaism does, and still be accepted by the Father. To reject Christ is to reject the Godhead. The reason why the Bible focuses on the Holy Spirit, when speaking of the unpardonable sin, is found in John 16:8... "And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." You see, God appeals to a person's heart through His Holy Spirit. If that person shuns God's Spirit, then where else can that person find salvation? It is impossible!

In closing, let me make clear from the Scriptures that any lost sinner CAN find forgiveness through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. God will forgive anybody! I don't care how deep into sin you've gone, God will forgive and save you if you'll place your faith in Jesus Christ, because of the blood He shed for your sins (1st John 1:7). If you want to be saved, then it is not too late. If God was willing to forgive a mass-murder like Saul (i.e., 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. Only you can commit the unpardonable sin, by refusing to come to Jesus Christ to get your sins forgiven (John 5:40). Isaiah 1:18 is abundantly clear--THERE IS NO SIN WHICH CANNOT BE FORGIVEN... "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." It is Jesus or Hell. If you go to Hell, it will only be because you CHOSE to go there. Ye Must be Born Again!

"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

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