What is the Unforgivable Sin / Unpardonable Sin? | GotQuestions.org

Question, what is the unpardonable or unforgivable sin? In this video I'll answer that question from a biblical perspective, and afterwards I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around to the end.

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit in Mark 3 and Matthew 12

The unpardonable or unforgivable sin, or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, is mentioned in Mark 3 and Matthew 12. Jesus said, "'Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter' Mark 3, 28.

But then He gives us one exception, "'Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. They are guilty of an eternal sin' verse 29. According to Jesus, the unpardonable or unforgivable sin is unique.

It is the one uniquity that will never be forgiven. Never is the meaning of either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12, 32. The unforgivable sin is blasphemy, divine irreverence of the Holy Spirit, in the context of the Spirit's work in the world through Christ.

In other words, the particular case of blasphemy seen in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 is unique. The guilty party, a group of Pharisees, had witnessed irrefutable evidence that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet they claimed that He was possessed by the prince of demons, Beelzebul.

The Jewish leaders of Jesus' day committed the unpardonable sin by accusing Jesus Christ, in person, on earth, of being demon-possessed. They had no excuse for such inaction. They were not speaking out of ignorance or misunderstanding.

The Pharisees knew that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to save Israel. They knew the prophecies were being fulfilled. They saw Jesus' wonderful works and they heard His clear presentation of truth, yet they deliberately chose to deny the truth and slander the Holy Spirit.

Standing before the light of the world, bathed in His glory, they defiantly closed their eyes and became willfully blind. Jesus pronounced that sin to be unforgivable. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, specific as it was to the Pharisee situation, cannot be duplicated today.

Jesus Christ is not on earth, and no one can personally see Jesus perform a miracle and then attribute that power to Satan instead of the Spirit. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief.

Why Continued Unbelief Is the Only Unpardonable Sin Today

There is no pardon for a person who dies in his rejection of Christ. The Holy Spirit is at work in the world, convicting the unsaved of sin, righteousness, and judgment John 16 verse 8. If a person resists that conviction and remains unrepentant, then he is choosing hell over heaven.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11 verse 6. And the object of faith is Jesus. There is no forgiveness for someone who dies without faith in Christ. God has provided for our salvation in His Son.

Forgiveness is found exclusively in Jesus. To reject the only Savior is to be left with no means of salvation. To reject the only pardon is obviously unpardonable. Many people fear that they have committed some sin that God cannot or will not forgive.

And they feel there is no hope for them no matter what they do. Satan would like nothing more than to keep people laboring under that misconception. God gives encouragement to the sinner who was convicted of his sin, "...come near to God, and he will come near to you." James 4 verse 8.

God’s Grace Is Greater Than Sin and Guilt

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. Romans 5 verse 20, in the testimony of Paul, is proof positive that God can and will save anyone who comes to Him in faith. 1 Timothy 1 verses 12 -17.

If you are suffering under a load of guilt today, rest assured that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. God is waiting with open arms. Jesus' promise is that He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.

Hebrews 7 verse 25, Our Lord will never fail. Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12 verse 2.

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