Expert: Rev C.Brian Ross - 11/24/2009

Question
Hello, Reverend Ross!

Is there really a truly unforgivable sin?
I have heard blasphemy mentioned as a possibility...

I write(actually type) this senario under the assumption that there IS an unforgivable sin:

Let's suppose a man commits "the unforgivable sin".....he comes to a point in his life where he has much regret for doing so......he later engages a Christian in a conversation and the Christian decides to witness to him(not knowing anything of the man's past)......in response, the man tells the Christian "I would love to accept Christ and be saved, but the point would be moot---for I have committed the unforgivable sin---and therefore I have forfeitted any chance of entering the Kingdom of Heaven...but, hey, thanks anyway!"

This illustrates what I am asking about in regards to an "unforgivable sin"...one from which there is no recourse...basically a point of no return regardless of how one feels or what one does.

Thank you!

Answer
Hi, again, Brad!

I think that I am going to have to set up a personal answering service, just for you!!  :-)

Thank you for another very interesting question (how do you come up with so many?!).

There is indeed, an "unforgiveable sin".  In Matt.12:31 we read these words of Jesus: "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."  As usual, we must remember to read a verse in context.  The preceding verses, we discover that these words of Jesus come at the end of an episode in which He had healed a man "... possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb:" (v.22).  However, some Pharisees who heard the 'common' people ask if this was not proof that Jesus was "... the son of David" (v.23) - a Messianic reference, responded by claiming that Jesus had cast out the demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (v.24) - a reference to the devil.  Jesus explains the illogicality of their thinking, and then makes the statement to which your question refers.

So, the blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit is not the verbal blasphemy that is all too common a feature of our contemporary 'western' civilisation.  It is the attributing to the satan (the adversary) that which should be attributed to God the Holy Spirit.  We should also note that this is not a single action like murder, or adultery, or theft.  For example David was both an adulterer and a murderer but, when he confessed his sin he was forgiven.  It is, rather a persistent hardening of the heart until the point is reached when one is unable to believe, and place one's trust in the Lord.  This may be seen in John 12, with particular reference to v.39 - "... they COULD not believe, ..."

I recall being puzzled/worried by this verse when I was a lot younger (I don't, of course, know into which age-bracket you fall!) but was assured by a more mature believer that worrying about having committed the "unforgiveable sin" was strong evidence that one had not committed it!

With regard to your illustration, I trust that you will have realised that it is just not going to happen.  Any other sin that this man had committed could be confessed, and forgiven.  But the heart that, by constant rejection, is so hardened to the message of the Gospel that it is guilty of this sin, is simply beyond acknowledgement of sin in the person's life - and therefore of confession, repentance - and forgiveness.

I trust that I have been clear with a topic that I would far rather be discussing in a face-to-face situation.  However, I think that I now know you well enough to be assured that you will come back for any further clarification that you may need!

Blessings

C.Brian Ross (Rev)