The unforgivable sin

Mark 3:28-30 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”

Teachers of religious law from Jerusalem described Jesus as being possessed by Satan (“Beelzebul”) (Mark 3:22) because of His miracles and because unclean spirits called Him the Son of God (Mark 3:11).  As a side note it is interesting in the gospels that evil spirits, even Satan himself, called Jesus the Son of God, yet the chosen people of God, the Jews, did not believe that He was the true Son of God.  

The Jews considered Christ’s work as blasphemy.  Blasphemy means to revile, to speak of evil.  The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for the miracles He performed, that such miracles were performed by the power of the devil.   However, Jesus performed His miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Indeed, it was not Jesus who was committing blasphemy, it was the Jews because they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit who was responsible for the miracles Jesus performed.  Jesus then said what is written in Mark 3:28-30.       

Jesus said that all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  All sin you can think of, even sin of murder, can be forgiven.  All blasphemy you can think of, even cursing God, can be forgiven.  Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit the only unforgivable sin?  The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin and the need for forgiveness.  The Holy Spirit, as someone once said, is at the heart of the redemptive work of God through Christ.  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is outright and consistent rejection of the gospel of salvation.  If you blaspheme the Holy Spirit you have lost the source of forgiveness and therefore you can never be forgiven.  When you die in unbelief you die as an unforgiven person.  What a terrible thought.  That’s why Jesus said that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit with eternal consequences.     

It is impossible for Christians to commit the unforgivable sin.  The fact that you claim to be a Christian means that you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:13) for eternal salvation and that you have the indwelling Holy Spirit within you.  Yes, even with the Holy Spirit in you, you will continue to sin (I John 1:8-2-1), but every sin—no matter how terrible-- you commit is forgiven when you confess.  Christians never have to feel guilty; if you do, you are allowing the enemy to deceive you.  Remember Jesus’ words---“I tell you the truth---all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven…..”.  He speaks the truth, He is the truth, the truth makes you free!