Unpardonable Sin

Dear Brethren,

Have you committed the unpardonable sin?  Some people fear that they may have committed a sin that is too horrible for God to forgive.  They fear that hope is lost for them because of the unpardonable sin.  Others fear that they may have unknowingly, or inadvertently committed the unpardonable sin, since they do not know what it is.  Surprisingly, the Bible does not mention the phrase, "unpardonable sin."  What is the unpardonable sin?  Can it be forgiven?

It is important that we look into the concept of the unpardonable sin because the common understanding is that it is a sin "so bad" that not even God will forgive it.  That misunderstanding denies the goodness and mercy of God.  People may give up, saying, "What's the use of trying?"  That misunderstanding also brings into question whether or not Jesus Christ is able to take away all sin.  "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."  (John 1:29)  Is there a sin which cannot and will not be forgiven?

Is the Scripture true that says all our iniquities can be forgiven?  "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all thine iniquities."  (Psalms 103:2-3)  Does God forgive all iniquity except the one?

Some will say, "I know what the unpardonable sin is; it is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit."  They are correct!  We find that understanding in these verses, but how does one go about blaspheming against the Holy Spirit?  Jesus Christ said, "Truly I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."  (Mark 3:28-29)  How does one blaspheme against the Holy Spirit?

God's Spirit is His Love, Mind, Power, and Life.  God's Spirit is every attribute and characteristic of God's Holiness and Goodness.  Blasphemy means to unretractably deny God of His sacred character - to unretractably deny His Power and Goodness.  We are in danger of blaspheming God's Spirit whenever we sin against Him.

Is it possible for a true Christian to commit a sin, and remain a Christian?  Does committing a sin prove that he was never a Christian in the first place?  Many worry, because they do not understand what the sin is that will never be forgiven. Put your mind at ease.  If you are worried that you may have committed the unpardonable sin - you probably have not.

First of all, only a truly converted Christian can commit the unpardonable sin.  That is because God is not trying to save all the people in the entire world - they have not been called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  In order to commit the unpardonable sin, a truly converted Christian would have to either decide that God's Way is too difficult, or lapse into such a complacent attitude as to forget all about living God's Way.  The Christian would have to choose to reject God, or develop a habit of neglecting God on a continuous basis.  That would be denying God's Holy Spirit - or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

The sin that remains unforgiven and unpardoned is the sin for which there has been no Godly repentance.  Whenever we go humbly before our Loving God on our knees with the promise of sinning no more, and asking His forgiveness, all our sins are forgiven.  Then there is no unpardoned sin.

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Sermon:

"Unpardonable Sin"