What is the Unpardonable Sin?
Jesus said, "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." Matt. 12:31
Jesus speaks of a sin that shall not be forgiven. Today we refer to this as an unpardonable sin. Simply put, the work of the Holy Spirit brings us to repentance and urges us to ask forgiveness. If we do not ask, we do not receive, therefore we are not yet forgiven, until we ask.
The unpardonable sin is a sin that is deep rooted in the heart. Jesus said that blasphemy comes from within a man's heart (Mark 7:21-23). Blasphemy is rooted in hatred, and therefore in order to have blasphemy in your heart against somebody, you must first hate them. So in order to have the ability to commit the unpardonable sin, you must first have a hard heart which hates the Holy Spirit. Once somebody commits this sin, that person cuts them self off from the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10), which is the person who leads them back to repentance (the ability to repent is something given to us by God - 2 Timothy 2:25, "...if perhaps God may grant them repentance..." NASB - there are many other verses to prove this as well, including John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." along side John 6:37, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."). Therefore, the person who commits such a sin, would have no way of turning back; he would remain in his hardened heart, and would not have any remorse for what he has done. Therefore, being concerned about such a sin, is valid proof that one has not committed it!
What the unpardonable sin is (a deeper look)
The unpardonable sin is a sin that must be progressed into; it is not a sin that can be committed by just anybody at the snap of his or her finger. It starts with resisting the Holy Spirit, and turns into a rejection against Him; the result is a final rejection of the Holy Spirit in that person's life, resulting in blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Blasphemy is a sin which is a sin that meant from the heart (Mark 7:21-23), and is committed when a person(s) speaks evil against somebody, before other people; therefore it is dangerous (not necessarily unpardonable, but dangerous) to speak out to prevent the work of the Lord from being done, such as trying to shut down a ministry which God is moving in, convince people to walk away from Jesus, or prevent them from coming to Jesus.
It is a sin that is committed naturally, flows out freely, and comes from deep within the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 6:45); it is not simply some mistaken words spoken, but it is a sin that comes from a heart that is deeply rooted with evil and rejection against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:34, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 6:45).
The unpardonable sin is like a final rejection of the Holy Spirit, which results in blasphemy against Him, and it cuts the cord forever from being drawn to Jesus. When a person is in this kind of a mindset, they aren't concerned one bit about what they are doing and have a deep root of evil in their heart (Matthew 12:34). Once a person commits the unpardonable sin, it is impossible for them to change.
The reason you can cut off Jesus, and still change, is because the Holy Spirit can lead you back. It is the Holy Spirit who brings a person to Jesus; therefore, when you flat out reject the Holy Spirit, who is left to bring you back, and give you a heart of repentance and concern? If a person cannot realize that they need Jesus, they are hopeless.
How we can be sure we aren't guilty
What is spiritual blindness?
Spiritual blindness is when a person cannot see spiritually; they cannot realize that they are lost and need Jesus. It is when they cannot recognize the truth. It is when they cannot see a reason to come to Jesus for their salvation. Having concern for your salvation, and believing that Jesus is Lord, is proof that you aren't spiritually blind; if you were hopeless, there would be no possible way for you to believe upon Jesus, or understand His Word (John 8:43-47).
The unpardonable sin would prevent you from being concerned about your salvation; you wouldn't see any reason to have Jesus in your life.
In other words, when the unpardonable sin is committed, it completely cuts that person off from the Holy Spirit; therefore it's not so much that the sin will not be forgiven, but that the sin cannot be forgiven; because without the Holy Spirit, a person cannot have a heart of repentance, and without a heart of repentance, it is impossible to be forgiven!
The Holy Spirit is the one that leads people to Jesus, and it is impossible for man to come to Jesus on his own (John 6:44). When the Father leads a person to Jesus, it is done by removing spiritual blinders from the eyes of that person; therefore giving them the ability to see the need for Jesus and realize that they need salvation (John 5:24). If God didn't see hope in you, you wouldn't be able to hear or understand His Word (John 8:47, Isaiah 6:10, Daniel 12:10), therefore you wouldn't recognize that you need salvation (Matthew 13:15). The only way you can be concerned about your salvation, and realize that Jesus is the way, is if God the Father gives you that understanding; you cannot obtain that realization on your own.
The only way you couldn't come to Jesus, is if you couldn't recognize that you needed Him (Matthew 13:15). God is the one who allows man to realize that he needs salvation; man cannot obtain this understanding on his own (John 6:44, John 8:43-47). ALL who understand that they need Jesus to obtain salvation can obtain salvation, because all who believe WILL be saved (John 3:16). There are two types of people, those who believe in Jesus and those who don't; those who believe in Jesus have eternal spiritual life, and those who don't are hopeless unless they change and believe (John 3:18).
All who can recognize that they need Jesus, and will believe upon Him, will be saved (John 6:40, Revelation 3:20). If a person can realize that they need Jesus and will believe upon Him, there are NO sins that they cannot be forgiven of (Acts 13:39).
Simply resisting the Holy Spirit causes Him to draw back from a person, and flat out blasphemy from the heart would cause Him to completely leave that person alone. It is a very advanced state of spiritual rejection to the point to where you cannot come back to Jesus for repentance; it is the point of no return. There would be no conviction of sin after a person has done the unpardonable, because it is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin (John 16:8).
Can you imagine this?
Having rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit to the point that when you decided you wanted to change, you could not find repentance in your heart?
Consider the life of Esau:
"For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:17
Therefore, worry or concern about your salvation is proof that you haven't done it, and the understanding that you need Jesus is proof that you are able to see spiritually. Are you deeply worried that you may have committed the unpardonable sin? Stop worrying! The very fact that you are concerned about your salvation is proof that you haven't done the unpardonable sin! If you aren't spiritually blind, you definitely have hope, now all you need to do is believe in Jesus (John 6:40, John 6:47). If you believe upon Jesus, then there is NO condemnation awaiting you (Romans 8:1, John 3:18). Salvation is available to ALL who can believe (Romans 1:16). Jesus promised not to cast out anybody who comes to Him (John 6:37), therefore if you come to Him, He will NOT cast you out!
You cannot commit the unpardonable sin, then turn around and come to Jesus; it is IMPOSSIBLE (John 6:37, 44).
The path to salvation is basically summed up in these steps,
A = Accept that you have sinned and that God has promised you Salvation if you will accept his gift.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B= Believe that Jesus died for your sins so that you may have eternal life
John 3:16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
C= Confess with your mouth that He has given you the gift of Salvation.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
D= Discipline or Discipleship
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A few things that prove a person has hope:
They can understand that they need Jesus.
(Luke 10:21-22, John 6:40, John 6:44, John 8:43-47)
They are able to hear God's Word.
(John 5:24, John 8:43-47, Psalms 10:17, Revelation 3:20)
They desire Jesus in their life.
(Matthew 5:6, John 7:37, Psalms 10:4, Matthew 7:7)
They are willing to call on the name of the Lord.
(Romans 10:13)
They are able to admit they are wrong.
(John 3:20-21, 1 John 1:9)
They are able to see and believe in Jesus.
(John 3:18, John 6:37, John 6:65, Luke 8:12, John 12:39-40)
They love God and the brethren.
(1 Corinthians 8:3, 1 John 3:14)
They can confess Jesus before others.
(Matthew 10:32, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 John 4:15)
They are able to receive Jesus.
(John 1:12, Luke 7:23)
The bottom line is, the unpardonable sin is like a final rejection of the Holy Spirit, which results in blasphemy against Him, and it cuts the cord forever from being drawn to Jesus. Therefore if you are concerned about your salvation and desire Jesus in your life, then you have not committed it.
To put it into a nutshell
(a) Blasphemy comes from within a man. Blasphemy is rooted in hatred, therefore somebody who has blasphemy in their heart, is very hateful against that person (in this case, the Holy Spirit) to whom they are on the edge of blaspheming.
(b) The person who is in a position to do the unpardonable sin is very hard hearted against the Holy Spirit. In order to be brought to repentance, that person must be drastically turned around and brought back to repentance.
(c) Repentance is a gift. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to repentance. The unpardonable sin would cut a person off from the Holy Spirit. Once a person has cut them self off from the Holy Spirit, there is nobody left to bring them back to repentance.
(c) Therefore, the person who has committed such a sin would remain in their hardened state of heart, and have no remorse or desire to repent of such a sin.
Can a person turn to Jesus and be rejected?
No! John 6:37, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Remember ... 1 John 1:9,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Jesus speaks of a sin that shall not be forgiven. Today we refer to this as an unpardonable sin. Simply put, the work of the Holy Spirit brings us to repentance and urges us to ask forgiveness. If we do not ask, we do not receive, therefore we are not yet forgiven, until we ask.
The unpardonable sin is a sin that is deep rooted in the heart. Jesus said that blasphemy comes from within a man's heart (Mark 7:21-23). Blasphemy is rooted in hatred, and therefore in order to have blasphemy in your heart against somebody, you must first hate them. So in order to have the ability to commit the unpardonable sin, you must first have a hard heart which hates the Holy Spirit. Once somebody commits this sin, that person cuts them self off from the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10), which is the person who leads them back to repentance (the ability to repent is something given to us by God - 2 Timothy 2:25, "...if perhaps God may grant them repentance..." NASB - there are many other verses to prove this as well, including John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." along side John 6:37, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."). Therefore, the person who commits such a sin, would have no way of turning back; he would remain in his hardened heart, and would not have any remorse for what he has done. Therefore, being concerned about such a sin, is valid proof that one has not committed it!
What the unpardonable sin is (a deeper look)
The unpardonable sin is a sin that must be progressed into; it is not a sin that can be committed by just anybody at the snap of his or her finger. It starts with resisting the Holy Spirit, and turns into a rejection against Him; the result is a final rejection of the Holy Spirit in that person's life, resulting in blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Blasphemy is a sin which is a sin that meant from the heart (Mark 7:21-23), and is committed when a person(s) speaks evil against somebody, before other people; therefore it is dangerous (not necessarily unpardonable, but dangerous) to speak out to prevent the work of the Lord from being done, such as trying to shut down a ministry which God is moving in, convince people to walk away from Jesus, or prevent them from coming to Jesus.
It is a sin that is committed naturally, flows out freely, and comes from deep within the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 6:45); it is not simply some mistaken words spoken, but it is a sin that comes from a heart that is deeply rooted with evil and rejection against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:34, Mark 7:21-23, Luke 6:45).
The unpardonable sin is like a final rejection of the Holy Spirit, which results in blasphemy against Him, and it cuts the cord forever from being drawn to Jesus. When a person is in this kind of a mindset, they aren't concerned one bit about what they are doing and have a deep root of evil in their heart (Matthew 12:34). Once a person commits the unpardonable sin, it is impossible for them to change.
The reason you can cut off Jesus, and still change, is because the Holy Spirit can lead you back. It is the Holy Spirit who brings a person to Jesus; therefore, when you flat out reject the Holy Spirit, who is left to bring you back, and give you a heart of repentance and concern? If a person cannot realize that they need Jesus, they are hopeless.
How we can be sure we aren't guilty
What is spiritual blindness?
Spiritual blindness is when a person cannot see spiritually; they cannot realize that they are lost and need Jesus. It is when they cannot recognize the truth. It is when they cannot see a reason to come to Jesus for their salvation. Having concern for your salvation, and believing that Jesus is Lord, is proof that you aren't spiritually blind; if you were hopeless, there would be no possible way for you to believe upon Jesus, or understand His Word (John 8:43-47).
The unpardonable sin would prevent you from being concerned about your salvation; you wouldn't see any reason to have Jesus in your life.
In other words, when the unpardonable sin is committed, it completely cuts that person off from the Holy Spirit; therefore it's not so much that the sin will not be forgiven, but that the sin cannot be forgiven; because without the Holy Spirit, a person cannot have a heart of repentance, and without a heart of repentance, it is impossible to be forgiven!
The Holy Spirit is the one that leads people to Jesus, and it is impossible for man to come to Jesus on his own (John 6:44). When the Father leads a person to Jesus, it is done by removing spiritual blinders from the eyes of that person; therefore giving them the ability to see the need for Jesus and realize that they need salvation (John 5:24). If God didn't see hope in you, you wouldn't be able to hear or understand His Word (John 8:47, Isaiah 6:10, Daniel 12:10), therefore you wouldn't recognize that you need salvation (Matthew 13:15). The only way you can be concerned about your salvation, and realize that Jesus is the way, is if God the Father gives you that understanding; you cannot obtain that realization on your own.
The only way you couldn't come to Jesus, is if you couldn't recognize that you needed Him (Matthew 13:15). God is the one who allows man to realize that he needs salvation; man cannot obtain this understanding on his own (John 6:44, John 8:43-47). ALL who understand that they need Jesus to obtain salvation can obtain salvation, because all who believe WILL be saved (John 3:16). There are two types of people, those who believe in Jesus and those who don't; those who believe in Jesus have eternal spiritual life, and those who don't are hopeless unless they change and believe (John 3:18).
All who can recognize that they need Jesus, and will believe upon Him, will be saved (John 6:40, Revelation 3:20). If a person can realize that they need Jesus and will believe upon Him, there are NO sins that they cannot be forgiven of (Acts 13:39).
Simply resisting the Holy Spirit causes Him to draw back from a person, and flat out blasphemy from the heart would cause Him to completely leave that person alone. It is a very advanced state of spiritual rejection to the point to where you cannot come back to Jesus for repentance; it is the point of no return. There would be no conviction of sin after a person has done the unpardonable, because it is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin (John 16:8).
Can you imagine this?
Having rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit to the point that when you decided you wanted to change, you could not find repentance in your heart?
Consider the life of Esau:
"For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:17
Therefore, worry or concern about your salvation is proof that you haven't done it, and the understanding that you need Jesus is proof that you are able to see spiritually. Are you deeply worried that you may have committed the unpardonable sin? Stop worrying! The very fact that you are concerned about your salvation is proof that you haven't done the unpardonable sin! If you aren't spiritually blind, you definitely have hope, now all you need to do is believe in Jesus (John 6:40, John 6:47). If you believe upon Jesus, then there is NO condemnation awaiting you (Romans 8:1, John 3:18). Salvation is available to ALL who can believe (Romans 1:16). Jesus promised not to cast out anybody who comes to Him (John 6:37), therefore if you come to Him, He will NOT cast you out!
You cannot commit the unpardonable sin, then turn around and come to Jesus; it is IMPOSSIBLE (John 6:37, 44).
The path to salvation is basically summed up in these steps,
A = Accept that you have sinned and that God has promised you Salvation if you will accept his gift.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B= Believe that Jesus died for your sins so that you may have eternal life
John 3:16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
C= Confess with your mouth that He has given you the gift of Salvation.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
D= Discipline or Discipleship
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A few things that prove a person has hope:
They can understand that they need Jesus.
(Luke 10:21-22, John 6:40, John 6:44, John 8:43-47)
They are able to hear God's Word.
(John 5:24, John 8:43-47, Psalms 10:17, Revelation 3:20)
They desire Jesus in their life.
(Matthew 5:6, John 7:37, Psalms 10:4, Matthew 7:7)
They are willing to call on the name of the Lord.
(Romans 10:13)
They are able to admit they are wrong.
(John 3:20-21, 1 John 1:9)
They are able to see and believe in Jesus.
(John 3:18, John 6:37, John 6:65, Luke 8:12, John 12:39-40)
They love God and the brethren.
(1 Corinthians 8:3, 1 John 3:14)
They can confess Jesus before others.
(Matthew 10:32, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 1 John 4:15)
They are able to receive Jesus.
(John 1:12, Luke 7:23)
The bottom line is, the unpardonable sin is like a final rejection of the Holy Spirit, which results in blasphemy against Him, and it cuts the cord forever from being drawn to Jesus. Therefore if you are concerned about your salvation and desire Jesus in your life, then you have not committed it.
To put it into a nutshell
(a) Blasphemy comes from within a man. Blasphemy is rooted in hatred, therefore somebody who has blasphemy in their heart, is very hateful against that person (in this case, the Holy Spirit) to whom they are on the edge of blaspheming.
(b) The person who is in a position to do the unpardonable sin is very hard hearted against the Holy Spirit. In order to be brought to repentance, that person must be drastically turned around and brought back to repentance.
(c) Repentance is a gift. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to repentance. The unpardonable sin would cut a person off from the Holy Spirit. Once a person has cut them self off from the Holy Spirit, there is nobody left to bring them back to repentance.
(c) Therefore, the person who has committed such a sin would remain in their hardened state of heart, and have no remorse or desire to repent of such a sin.
Can a person turn to Jesus and be rejected?
No! John 6:37, "...him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
Remember ... 1 John 1:9,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Saturday, April 01, 2006
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