The One Unforgivable Sin?
In Mark chapter three, the Pharisees blasphemed Jesus by saying that He’s a Beelzebub, and that’s how He’s able to cast out demons. Jesus rebukes them, warning that they are dangerously close to committing the one sin that’s unforgivable.
“All sins will be forgiven in the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3:28-29)
It’s this verse that has prompted some atheists to issue what they have called The Blasphemy Challenge: If you truly believe that there is no God, prove it by making a video of yourself denying the Holy Spirit! Bam! You’re now forever damned and can never repent!
Well, while they are certainly playing with fire, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not like taking the Lord’s name in vain. That time you said, “Holy Cow!” (or holy… whatever word followed it), you didn’t commit the one unforgivable sin.
See, it’s through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we can even know about the Gospel of Christ.
The Spirit is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)
Any person who rejects that message or claims it’s not of God, who refuses to turn from a life of sin and answer the call of salvation, hardening their heart against God all the way to their death… THAT’S blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! (Acts 7:51)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19)
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. (Ephesians 4:18)
And THAT’S what’s unforgivable.
We have this life only to come to Christ and after that comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
But, we need to consider that no one this side of eternity is beyond the call of salvation.
While Jesus was on the cross, taking upon Himself the penalty that we deserved, there were people blaspheming Him while He died. Yet, He prayed:
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
Know that there is forgiveness right now and eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord…
…when we understand the text.
(This video is by WWUTT. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central.)