The weblog of the Bunnells, missionaries serving in Romania on behalf of
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Unpardonable Sin
“And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men,but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” --Matthew 12:31
In the age of law, God the Father came to fallen mankind, and spoke to us through the law of Moses, declaring His righteous standards and defining holiness. But we, in our fallen state, were a race incapable of living up to the standards of the law. So Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, came to earth to live a perfect life under the law and sacrifice Himself in our place, to give us God-pleasing righteousness that comes to us by faith in Him. Then Jesus ascended to heaven, sitting down at the Father's side, because His work of redemption had been completed. Then Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, just as He had promised. As the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God, now sounds God's final call to come to Him through faith in the Son, that whosoever believes may be saved. This call is sounded to everyone alive in some way or another. The same Jesus who told us that "God so loved the world" told us that the Spirit when He came would convict the world in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment. To reject the Holy Spirit's final call and thus die without Christ's salvation, is to reject one's only chance at redemption and eternal life. Jesus told us that He offers forgiveness of "all manner of sin and blasphemy," but the one who dies having rejected the Spirit's offer on Christ's behalf has made forgiveness of his sins impossible. So anyone who dies without Christ will be eternally condemned. Some practical applications of this verse are in order for each individual's life. The first application is for the believer who has trusted Jesus Christ for salvation: Do not fear condemnation, and don't be afraid you might someday commit "the unpardonable sin." You have already passed from death unto life (John 5:24) and your Savior has declared that "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven" you. No matter what you have done, you have not done something that can take your salvation away, because "all manner of sin" will be forgiven for His children. When you chose Christ, you made your decision not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. For it was the Holy Spirit Who called you to salvation on Christ's behalf, and you responded rightly. Now you are saved, and eternally indwelled by the Spirit, who has promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” The second application is for those who have not yet trusted Christ for salvation: If you are sensing the Holy Spirit drawing you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, you reject that message at your own peril. God has said His Spirit will not contend with you forever. There will come a time when it will be too late for you. That sense you feel in your heart that you have sinned against God and fail to meet His perfect standards -- that fear of what will happen when you die and face a holy God -- this is what the Bible describes as the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He pleads with you today not to reject Him. Believe what the Bible says about Jesus. Trust Jesus today, while there is still time, believing He died to be punished instead of you for your sins and rose to life again, and you will be forgiven for every sin you have ever committed. Because by accepting the Holy Spirit's invitation to trust Jesus, you will be choosing not to commit the only sin that cannot be forgiven.
DaveBunnell Romania The Missionary's Day weblog-- Authored by Dave Bunnell. Dave and his family are missionaries for Calvary Chapel Garland (Texas) . View their Romanian ministry website here. This blog features exciting stories about what God is doing on the mission field, as well as reflections on the Bible and thoughts about walking with Christ.
You may use the email link by clicking on my name in the paragraph above to contact me about anything on this site, or any questions you have on matters of faith.
Sing to the Lord, praise His Name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens... Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." --from Psalm 96
