THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
courtesy www.christiananswers.net
An unforgivable sin is described in Mark
3 and Matthew 12. These passages involve Jesus Christ's repeated and widespread
public defeat of Satan and his demons. Many readers and theologians have been
confused about the true nature of this sin. As you read these verses for
yourself (below), bear in mind part of the purpose of Jesus Christ's ministry
was to directly confront darkness with the light of truth in a public battle of
pure good versus pure evil. The only being in the universe that is more
powerful than the Evil One, is God. He is the only one with enough power to bind
Satan himself and forcibly dispossess him.
Mark 3:22-30 states,
"And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He has
Beelzebub,' and, 'By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.' …'Assuredly,
I [Jesus] say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever
blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never
has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation;' because they said, 'He
has an unclean spirit'" (NKJV, emphasis added / Note: The Pharisees made the
same charge in Mat 9:34.).
In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says to the Pharisees,
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will
be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but
whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in
this age or in the age to come" (NKJV, emphasis added).
What is the context of these statements, and what is the
exact sin described?
The Pharisees had long observed the sinless Jesus Christ.
They observed him doing undeniable and powerful miracles that were, at the very
least, clear evidence of power supplied by God. These impressive miracles were
freely given in pure kindness and love to release people from obvious suffering
and the oppression of horrible evil.
However, the Pharisees had so firmly set their hearts
against accepting Jesus as the Messiah that they rejected the obvious truth
before them and perversely twisted it to influence the crowds. They publicly
credited the most ultimately evil being in the universe with these precious,
godly miracles. In other words, they called the precious and holy Spirit of God,
the unclean spirit of Satan. In effect, they charged Jesus Christ with sorcery;
one who is in league with Satan. These charges are not only appalling and
extremely serious, but clearly absurd. As Jesus immediately responded,
"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided
against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against
itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and
is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's
house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he
will plunder his house" (Mark 3:23-27; also see Luke 11:14-23).
Note that…
"Jesus does not deny the existence of other exorcists here.
[See: Matthew 7:22-23] …Exorcists often invoked a higher spirit to get rid of a
lower one. …But a demon's retreat that meanwhile drew attention to another of
Satan's servants would only be a strategic retreat; such possible activity
contrasts with the wholesale exorcizing of the masses that Jesus undertakes,
which clearly signifies a defeat of Satan [Matthew 12:29; 4:24; 8:16; Mark 1:34,
39; 5:12, 15; Luke 9:1] …the parable about tying up a protective householder
means that Jesus had defeated Satan and could therefore plunder his
possessions--free the demon-possessed" [Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible
Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity
Press, 1993), pp. 143, 80.].
Author Dr. Henry Morris insightfully clarifies the true
nature of Pharisees' sin:
"The unforgivable sin of speaking against the Holy Spirit
has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict
other Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one
unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus,
speaking against the Holy Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such
finality that no future repentance is possible. 'My spirit shall not always
strive with man,' God said long ago (Genesis 6:3).
…In the context of this particular passage (Matthew
12:22-32), Jesus had performed a great miracle of creation, involving both
healing and casting out a demon, but the Pharisees rejected this clear witness
of the Holy Spirit. Instead they attributed His powers to Satan, thus
demonstrating an attitude permanently resistant to the Spirit, and to the deity
and saving Gospel of Christ" [Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Study Bible (Iowa
Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1995), emphasis added.].
What is the difference between the two types of blasphemy
described in Matthew 12? Why is the sacrifice of Christ ineffective as an
atonement for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Respected Christian theologian Dr. F.F. Bruce writes,
"…Speaking against the Son of man might be due to a failure
to recognize Him for what He is. So Paul recalls how in his pre-Christian days
he thought it his duty to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But if, having
seen the light on the Damascus road, he had deliberately closed his eyes to it
and kicked out against the goad which was directing him into the true path, that
would have been the sin against the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit persuades and enables men to accept
Christ and enjoy the saving benefits of the gospel [John 16:8; 1 Corinthians
2:12-14; Acts 7:51], but if anyone refuses to submit to the Spirit's gracious
constraint, preferring to call good evil and evil good, how can the gospel avail
for him? The deliberate refusal of the grace of God is the one sin which by its
very nature is irremediable" [F.F. Bruce, Answers to Questions (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973), pp. 46-47.].
"Anyone who rejects the Holy Spirit's convicting influence
and does not repent will not be forgiven, 'neither in this world, neither in the
world to come' (Matthew 12:32)" [Ray Comfort, “The Unpardonable Sin,” The
Evidence Bible (Gainesville, Florida: Bridge-Logo Publishers, 2001).].
“Jesus thus regards blasphemy against the
Spirit—permanently rejecting his identity (Matthew 12:18) as attested by the
Spirit's works (12:28)—as the worst of sins”
[Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New
Testament (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 80.].
The situation was similar at the biblical city of
Capernaum, where Jesus Christ performed an extraordinary number of miracles and
taught many important public lessons. In the end, most of the people of
Capernaum remained unrepentant. Like the Pharisees, they persistently rejected
the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit who bore witness to the true identity
of Jesus Christ, their Messiah.
They turned away from the abundant light graciously
provided to them, and chose to remain forever in their unbelief. They
persistently refused to listen to anything the Holy Spirit was telling them.
Like the Pharisees, they chose self-imposed blindness. For this reason, they
were strongly judged. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much
required…" (Luke 12:48). Thus, along with nearby Chorazin and Bethsaida,
Capernaum received a very stern warning from Jesus, "It shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee" (Matt. 11:21-24).
How can one know whether or not they have committed "the
unforgivable sin?"
Bible researcher Larry Richards points
out,
"This reference to an unforgivable sin has troubled many
unnecessarily. Those who are concerned that they have done something for which
Jesus will not forgive them show a very different attitude from the Pharisees,
who refused to accept even the most compelling evidence that Jesus was the Son
of God. The person who rejects the Spirit's message about Jesus will not be
forgiven. Anyone who seeks Jesus' forgiveness certainly has not committed the
unforgivable sin" [Larry Richards, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered
(Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming H. Revell, 1993), pp. 241-242.].
Scholars Morris and Clark further explain:
"Persons deeply troubled by a guilty conscience often fear
that they have sinned too grievously for God to forgive and save them. Others,
dominated by a carnal, calculating attitude, hope to sin to the limit and then
come to Christ to escape the consequences. Thus with radically different
motives, both ask 'Is it possible to sin beyond the point of being saved?'
God's ability to save is not limited by man's sinfulness.
In fact, every person, before he accepts Jesus Christ as Saviour, is in total
rebellion against God, though sinfulness many not manifest itself with equal
intensity in every person. The Apostle John taught believers,
'If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins,
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world' (1 John 2:1-2).
The Bible is filled with examples of people who receive
forgiveness for all manner of wickedness, for 'the Lord's hand is not short that
it cannot save' (Isaiah 59:1). God's boundless grace prompted Paul to exclaim,
'When sin increased, grace abounded all the more' (Romans 5:20). And Paul's
personal testimony showed God's redemptive purpose and power were not limited by
man's sinfulness, thus encouraging those who feared they had sinned too
grievously to be saved (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
While God's ability to save is boundless, the Bible
clearly shows that there are certain conditions under which He will not save.
For instance, God will not save those who neglect or despise Christ's sacrifice
in an effort to find an alternate salvation plan.
'For if we go on sinning wilfully after receiving the
knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins' (Hebrews
10:26).
This warning pertains to those who 'trample under foot the
Son of God' and regard His blood as unclean (Hebrews 10:29). God the Father has
appointed His Son's sacrifice as the sole way of salvation and will not grant
salvation to those who seek it by any other means.
The book of Romans contains the most concentrated teaching
on the subject of salvation to be found in the New Testament, and it begins with
a panorama of man's sin. Those who rejected God's revelation concerning Himself
and worshipped idols instead were given over by God to a more severe moral
defilement (Romans 1:22-24). Those who worshipped man instead of God received
equally severe punishment: 'For this reason God gave them over to degrading
passions,' the result being rampant immorality and homosexuality (Romans
1:26-27).
'And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any
longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not
proper' (Romans 1:28).
Several conclusions can be drawn from these warnings.
First, God actively punishes unconfessed sin not only after
the sinner's death, but also during that person's life.
Also, moral degradation is a punishment of God upon wilful
spiritual ignorance.
Further, when God gives one over to a depraved mind, that
person's sensitivity to sin is deadened and his chances for repentance thereby
lessened.
Yet, God does not violate man's freedom, forcing man to sin
and then judging him for it. Rather, men in this state welcome more extreme
degradation and actively embrace it: 'who being past feeling, have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness'
(Ephesians 4:19).
Consequently, Scripture states both that Pharaoh hardened
his heart against God, and that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 8:32;
9:12).
The Holy Spirit convicts men of their sin and draws them to
the Saviour (John 16:8-11; 3:5-6). Yet, at least once in history, God has
punished iniquity by withdrawing His Spirit. Prior to the world-wide flood, God
said, 'My Spirit will not strive with man forever,' and then He appointed 120
years during which repentance could be made (Genesis 6:3). Instead of repenting,
man used God's longsuffering as an occasion for further sin, and only Noah and
his family were spared.
God has further declared that He will not forgive blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31).
…If one's conscience is bothering him
to the point that he feels he is too guilty for God to forgive, he has the
assurance of God's Word that forgiveness is possible. The very fact that
he is bothered by his sinfulness shows that the Holy Spirit has not abandoned
him nor has God given him over to a depraved mind.
The real danger arises, however, when one can continually
violate God's law and never feel the slightest remorse over his rebellion. The
Bible's warning should jolt the spiritually flippant out of their complacency:"
"It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the
living God" (Hebrews 10:31).
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while
He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him;
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6).
[Henry M. Morris and Martin E. Clark, The Bible Has the
Answer, Revised and Expanded (Green Forest, Arkansas: Master Books, 1976), pp.
244-246, emphasis added.]
George Standison and staff further clarify,
" With this exception [the unforgivable sin], there is
nothing in the category of human offenses that is beyond the reach of divine
forgiveness. 'Although your sins be like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.'
is the ancient promise given by God to men; 'though they be like crimson, they
shall be as wool' [Isaiah 1:18].
This is not to be interpreted, however, as an encouragement
to sin, but rather as an inducement to repentance. If the sinner truly repents,
imploring God's forgiveness for Jesus' sake; if he accepts him as Saviour and
endeavors, with divine help, to live thereafter a Christian life, he will not
only be forgiven, but will be kept from falling back into sin. This is the
teaching of the Gospel, and it is exemplified in innumerable cases today. We
have many instances everywhere of great sinners who have forsaken their evil
ways and who are now living the new life, sustained by divine power.
'There's a wideness in God's mercy
Like the wideness of the sea.'
We have the Saviour's distinct assurance, 'Him that cometh
unto me, I will in no wise cast out' [John 6:37]. There is no punishment for
sins that are forgiven. 'Jesus paid it all'" [Bible Answers for 1000 Difficult
Questions (Iowa Falls: World Bible Publishers)].
If you, dear reader, have not yet truly repented of your
sins and asked our Lord Jesus Christ for the total forgiveness and salvation
that only his precious blood can provide, we urge you to do so immediately. It
is the wisest decision you can ever make!
Can a Christian commit “the unpardonable sin”?
Authorities agree that the answer is no. Here's why.
"If we refuse to accept the testimony given to us by the
Holy Spirit, fight off His conviction of our sin, and never accept the truth, we
will never come to Christ for salvation. In Christ, all our sins are forgiven.
Therefore, no Christian can commit the unpardonable sin.
Only an unregenerate person who refuses to come to Christ will die in his or her
sins" [Freedom in Christ (Knoxville, Tennessee: FICM.org, 2002).].
"…once you accept Jesus, that part of the Holy Spirit's job
is complete, thus you can't blaspheme His work. Naturally, He continues to work
with you, and you can be stubborn and resist Him as a Christian, but you can't
blaspheme Him. Live unproductively, carnal and unspiritual, possible. But commit
the unpardonable sin? It's just not possible for a true Christian. Remember what
Paul said: [Darrin Yeager (DYeager.org, 2002).]
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).
A true Christian cannot commit a sin for which there is no
forgiveness. We are protected by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). Although we can
certainly grieve the Holy Spirit, he still seals us for the day of redemption
(Ephesians 4:30). The Apostle Paul was confident "that He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6,
NKJV).
Bear in mind, however, if someone who claims to be a
Christian is responding to the Holy Spirit and Christ in a way very similar to
that of the Pharisees, despite the strong witness of the Holy Spirit and
abundant exposure to the truth of God's Word, it is highly doubtful that the
person was ever saved. Only God knows for sure. The evidence clearly points to
an unregenerate heart.
"…for a tree is known by its fruit. …For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:33-34, NKJV).
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