What Is The Unforgivable Sin

Frequently Asked Questions About Christianity, Answered Honestly!

What Is The Unforgivable Sin
-by Tony Warren

Matthew 12:31-32
"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. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

hat is the unpardonable sin? We know by scripture that attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan is a form of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. But is that the sum and total of this blasphemy, or does it encompass more than simply this aspect? Again, specifically what is the unforgivable sin? Does the unforgivable sin of blaspheme against the Holy Ghost still apply today, or did it just apply to the time when Christ walked the earth in the flesh? These are questions that are routinely asked by Christians. Is the unpardonable sin suicide, denying Christ before men, abortion, homosexuality or calling Christ Satan? These questions have troubled the readers of holy scripture for a long time. And the specifics have perplexed both Christians and non-Christians alike. Sadly, most theologians tend to either ignore this sin completely, or simply answer that "the unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." Which really doesn't actually answer the question. The problem is, many Christians live in fear, wrestling with the idea that they might have, even unwittingly, committed this sin. And because there are so few answers, and so many diverse beliefs concerning this, it can become quite confusing. For example, many people believe that this sin is "only" in seeing the Lord Jesus in the flesh, having done the unmistakable miracles of salvation, and attribute that power to Satan. They surmise that since Christ is no longer physically on earth doing these miracles, the unforgivable sin is no longer committed in our day. However, there is nothing in scripture that suggests this sin only applied to those who witnessed Christ in the flesh. On the contrary, it seems obvious that Christ is instructing the Church to take care, that they will not fall into this gross error. Moreover, in other passages of the Bible, God describes sins where it is explicitly stated that it is impossible for the person to be renewed again unto repentance. By any normal grammatical definition, this would qualify as an unpardonable sin. Thus it can, and does apply today.

1st John 5:16

"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."

The person that has committed the sin unto death, has sinned the unpardonable sin. This sin is the apostasy from the faith. Whether from the faith of the Covenant Christian religion to that rudiment, to idolatry or to the world, it is the unforgivable sin unto death. I have heard people say they believe that the unforgivable sin is simply in unbelief. That obviously cannot be true, because Christ declares all sins of man (except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit) shall be forgiven. And at one time or another we all were guilty of the sin of unbelief. Thus, unbelief obviously can be forgiven. The Bible teaches us that (Revelation 21:8) God judges all men according to their unlawful works, not specifically for the sin of unbelief. So then, again, what is the unpardonable sin? What is the sin that is unforgivable? Specifically, what is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? I believe that when we search the scriptures carefully, there is ample warrant to believe that the unforgivable sin can only be committed by members of the Lord's congregation. It is the willful apostasy, the conscious falling away of God's Covenant people to reject Him, and thus His Spirit. If someone who has been made part of the Covenant body, wherein they have come to knowledge of the truth in the way of righteousness, and yet they would attribute the works of God to the devil, then they blasphemy the Spirit of God wherein they were partaking. And contrary to some beliefs, this still holds true today. This is why Christ said that the Pharisees would never be forgiven. Because they were the spiritual leaders of the Lord's congregation, the ones who were in charge of the law and whom the very Covenant pertained to. And yet for all their knowledge, they turned away and forsook God, and made him an enemy. They, above all should have known better.

Romans 9:4-5

"Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."

These men whom Christ spoke to were the ones to whom the adoption pertained, and the Covenant, and the Promises and service of God. And yet they had become so apostatized that they spoke against the Holy Ghost as evil. And Christ said that it would not be forgiven them in this world, nor in the world to come. These Covenant people, in their settled and willful refusal of the claims of Christ, and in the face of indisputable evidence, chose to forsake the truth. In their insidious choice to attribute Christ's works to the power of evil, they had slandered (blasphemed) the Holy Spirit. In essence, they had made it the purveyor of Evil. Jesus talks about those who call God's good works evil as being blasphemers against the Holy Spirit. And note he does so in the context of the Pharisees charging that Christ cast out demons by the power of evil.

Matthew 12:31-33

"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.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit."

The Pharisees had slandered or spoken evil against the Holy Spirit by calling its works, the works of the Devil. That was the blasphemy against God. But speaking a word against the Holy Spirit involves more than just Covenant people literally saying "Christ is of Evil," but also in their declaring the works of Christ (which are the works of the Spirit), of evil. In the immediate context of Matthew it may seem that there is not much to indicate "specifically" what is meant by "blasphemy against the Holy Ghost," but in comparing scripture with scripture, I believe that we can come to understand all that this sin really involves. For God declares that all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, except this one. So that of necessity means that when we search the scriptures diligently, and we find sins that are also declared unforgivable, they must fall into the category of "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." Thus, in understanding this, we can better understand all that this sin really entails.

First note that in Matthew 12:31-33, this is clearly a warning given to the whole congregation, because in essence Christ is cautioning those who "think" that they are of God, that there is the specific sin of blasphemy wherein it is proven that they are not truly saved. And that there is a sin that has no forgiveness. A sin that shall never be forgiven because in it, they have shamed the Holy God that they profess. In deeming the works of God as evil, they have become His adversary. Even though they may "think" that they do God a service (John 16:2), they are truly become His enemy. This is as Christ told the Old Covenant Jewish leaders who sought to Kill Him, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. -John 5:39-40". In other words, Christ told them that "they think" they are saved, but the very word of God that they were reading testifies that they are not. For they had forsaken the truth once delivered unto them and rejected the Word of God come in the flesh. In their apostasy from the Covenant, they looked upon the righteous, as the evil, and vice versa. That is why they attributed the works of Christ to Satan.

Isaiah 5:20

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Matthew 23:15

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

The more things change, the more they remain the same. Likewise, WOE unto these that had done this blasphemous thing in assigning the works of the Spirit to Evil. The leaders of the congregation no longer could see the truth, but had become blinded in their own conceit, so that they could not recognize their blasphemy against the same Spirit that they profess to serve. And that illustrates not only that they had fallen away into such great apostasy as to not even recognize the Spirit of their God, but also that they had switched sides and become His adversary. They had gone back into the way of the world, even as the heathen. And as such were at enmity with the Holy Spirit, wherein their new sickness is incurable.

Matthew 12:43-44

"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished."

The kingdom of God is tribulation in the world, and yet you cannot come into the Covenant family of God, and then look back to your old house with desire. For that shows that you are really not worthy of the Kingdom of the Spirit of God. It would have been better had you not ever come into the congregation, than to come into it and then turn away. That is not to say Christians falling into sin is the unforgivable sin, as that would not only be untenable, but disastrous to the Church. This speaks of turning against Christ, not falling into sin. The passages in Luke chapter 12 show us this same example of children of the congregation falling away to the blindness of unbelief so that they become enemies of God. Some theologians think that the context of Luke is entirely different, but I disagree. The context of Luke chapter 12 is the very same rejection of Christ, whom they consider a worker of evil. This is the same as it is in Matthew chapter 12. To deny Christ before men and to speak evil against Him, is the same "blasphemy" as calling Christ evil in claiming He works through Beelzebub.

Luke 12:9-12

"But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

He's warning the congregation, instructing them on how to act when they are persecuted by members of the congregation. The sword lifted against their persecutors is not carnal, but the words of God, by the Holy Spirit. Is the context here different from that of Matthew chapter 12? No, not really. Because the context is to be persecuted by the congregation professing love of God. It is in the context of Christ warning His people to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. It is in the context of the caveat against those who speak evil or blasphemy against the Spirit. The same Spirit that our Lord declares shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say. For someone to deny the work of Christ and attribute it to evil is "exactly" the same as attributing the work of Christ to Beelzebub. The congregation speaking evil of Christ is not different from them speaking evil of the holy Spirit. It is blasphemy. There is no real difference, and that is why there is no difference in Christ declaring in both passages that there is never forgiveness for those who commit these sins. And remember, He has already told us there is only "one sin" where there is never forgiveness. Thus, any sin that is unforgivable is the sin against the Holy Spirit.

Mark 3:27-30

"No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

These professed men of God, having knowledge of truth, should have known better. And yet were slandering Christ's work and calling it the work of evil. Simply put, blaspheme or [blasphemeo] is a Greek verb meaning "to speak against" or "to slander." These scribes which came down from Jerusalem had become enemies of Christ and were slandering or speaking evil of his work. And since the work of Christ (even as the work of Christ in us) is done in the power of the Spirit, they are blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Christ made it perfectly clear from the context why this is a sin that is not forgivable. God illustrated that is was because, "they had said Christ had an unclean spirit." In other words, the sin is unforgivable because they were members of the body, and yet had forsaken God so much so that they attributed the miraculous works of Christ, to Satan. In essence, they were members of the congregation calling God evil. They were the leaders of the Covenant people of God, they were those who were enlightened, they were those who have read the scriptures prophesying of Him. And yet they had become so apostatized that they could blindly attribute their Messiah's work to the work of a devil.

Now before I go any further, I want to be perfectly clear. The unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not simply the action of someone who has said something bad about Christ, cursed, spoken carelessly or who has used God�s name in vain. These are sins that have terribly troubled many people who fear they have blasphemed Gods in some thought or deed. Make no mistake, these (and even greater) are terrible sins, but are not the specific sin spoken of by Christ, which has no forgiveness. And this should be quite apparent from any circumspect study of scripture. Because in comparing scripture with scripture, we see that the Apostle Paul himself declares that he himself was such a blasphemer. And Yet, God had mercy and forgave him this terrible sin of Blasphemy against God, and of the persecution of Christ.

1st Timothy 1:12-13

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."

The Apostle Paul was clearly a blasphemer of God before His conversion. And I believe that in this passage is found again answer to the question at issue. Because by inspiration of God, the Apostle Paul clearly and unambiguously indicates what we have been bearing witness to. Namely, that His blasphemy was "in ignorance" and unbelief. In other words, this was not done knowingly, but was done without the knowledge of truth that comes from the Spirit body. I believe that this is why Christ says in Mark Chapter 3:28-29 that, "All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme, But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." All sins of the children of men shall be forgiven, because they are all done stupidly, foolishly, without knowledge. But not the blasphemy against the Spirit, because this specific sin is perpetrated by those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift so that they are knowledgeable. For such a one to fall back into the world of unbelief and deem Christ as a product of the Devil, it demonstrates that he loves Satan more than Christ, and having tasted of the gift, prefers to be the enemy of God. He has put Christ to an open or public shame, and he shall not be forgiven.

2nd Peter 2:18-22

"For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
For if after they have escaped the pollution�s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

God likens these people to Dogs and Pigs who turn back to what they know and love best. Dogs and Pigs were unclean animals in the Old Testament, a symbol of unrighteousness. The Dog, purging himself from that which is making him sick, and then eating again that filth which had been purged. The Sow or Pig, being washed clean, and then returning to the mire or mud, of which he had been cleansed. In this passage God holds these up as figures of those who shall not be forgiven. How had they clean escaped? These people had escaped the pollution of the world through knowledge of Christ so that they were no longer in ignorance as the Apostle Paul was. They were officially washed, just as Judas was washed in water, but they were not clean. Because they had never been truly washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. They certainly claimed or professed to be, but their true nature and iniquity testifies against them. More importantly, it is like a testimony against Christ, in whose blood they profess to have beeen washed. They had become part of the external Covenant body and gained knowledge, and yet they loved the world so much that fell away into apostasy. In effect, turning their back on Christ. This sin is so much worse than all other sins because its very nature is an abomination. In having externally been partaker of the Holy Spirit and having gained the knowledge of truth, and then willfully turning to be an adversary, it is the worst form of blasphemy. For it is effectively, having tasted of the riches of Christ's kingdom, and then deeming Satan's Kingdom of greater value. God says that it would have been better for these people if they had never even come to know the way of righteousness. In other words, they were better off being unsaved and under judgment of God, never having the knowledge of Christ, than for them coming to knowledge of Our Lord and then looking back to the world. In rejecting Him for the world, clearly this is a sin that is above and beyond merely being an unsaved person. It is to commit a traitorous act in betraying a divine trust.

Matthew 26:24

"The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."

The worst form of condemnation by God, that "it had been good for that man if he had not been born." Judas committed the unforgivable sin, so much so that it would have been better if he never even existed. In Hebrews chapter 6, God states it even more clearly in plainly declaring that those of the Covenant body who fall away from Christ to return back into the pollution of the world, will never be forgiven. God says that it will be "impossible" for them to be renewed unto repentance. This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in putting Christ to open shame. Spiritually speaking, choosing Satan over Christ they shame Christ by making a public example.

Hebrews 6:4-6

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

These aren't the heathen. these are those who have been enlightened. There are those who have tasted of the heavenly gift. these are those who have been made partaker of the Holy Spirit. They have tasted or experienced the good word of God. They had all these blessings of God in being of the Covenant body. And yet they finally rejected it to return to the house they had come out of. They have committed the unpardonable sin wherein it is impossible for them to be renewed unto repentance. For those who commit the sin against Holy God in loving darkness over the light revealed (John 3:19) unto them, then clearly they have become enemies of Christ turning their back on the only salvation. Clearly it is our God who declares that such a traitor to Christ (as Judas was), will not find repentance and be forgiven. For even though Judas wept bitterly (even as Esau did), he found no place for repentance. Our salvation is not by the will of man so that he can go back and forth between houses whenever he wills. It is written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Such traitorous sins in turning against Christ, whose blood they claimed in being part of the Covenant, is open blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. One that has been made partaker of the Holy Ghost wherein they had experienced the heavenly gift in their temporal renewal, and yet willingly chose to reject this and return back to the rudiments of the world, they are putting Christ to open shame. In a word, blasphemy! It is akin to crucifying Him all over again. And we can be sure that when God Himself says that, "..it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, if they shall fall away, to be renewed again unto repentance," then we have unshakable warrant to declare "THIS" as the unforgivable sin. Impossible means "incapable of occurring." Thus those who commit this sin have blasphemed the Holy Spirit that they were partaker of, and will never be forgiven. Indeed, Christ spoke of this in the parable when the Scribes accused Him of casting out Demons by the power of Beelzebub. He said, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." And then, in this context He went on to teach this principle of the house of the adversary. Those who fall away and willfully chose to return to that previous house, brings with him the completeness of evil to dwell with him.

Luke 11:23-26

"He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

In other words, when anyone has the unclean spirit gone from him, wherein he has clean escaped the pollution of the world, and receives the knowledge of truth by partaking of the Holy Spirit, and then they reject that evidence which God gives, and turns again to his former house, they grow seven times more wicked. And their last state is worse than if they had remained in ignorance and never come to this knowledge. Seven is the number of completeness, and by their return to their old house, they have shown themselves unfit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:61-62

"And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

The spiritual meaning being, the house of unbelief that you left, you must never go back, else you are deemed unfit for the Kingdom of God. Even as Lot's wife, who looked back and was made a pillar of salt, when she should have kept her eyes on the prize. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

So when the question is posed, "what is the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?" I believe that we may safely conclude from scripture that it is to have once been enlightened, become part of the Covenant body, partaking of the teachings of the truth by the Holy Spirit in the Covenant collective, and then turning back to shame and do dishonor to the perfection of God. It is where (Like The Scribes and Pharisees) you have been under the teaching of the Spirit of God, and have gained the knowledge and truth revealed to the congregation, and yet have turned against Christ. Apostatized in turning away again to the rudiments of the world. You then become the avowed enemy of that same God, unable to be renewed again to faith. And I believe our Lord makes this clear in other passages as well. Passages such as those found in Hebrews Chapter 10:

Hebrews 10:25-27

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

In this passage God speaks of those of the Church who willfully, deliberately divorce themselves from God "after" they have received the knowledge of the truth. And again, let's be clear that these are not simply Christians who have in some weakness of the flesh fallen into sin, or who are ignorant of the truth, or who actually want Christ as their Saviour. These are people who have gained knowledge, but who have turned away from God willfully to go back to the kingdom of Satan. In this conscious treasonous rejection of the God that has been revealed to them, they show themselves despisers of Him. They are blasphemers because they have in a sense known God, and then forsook Him to choose to serve Satan.

Proverbs 2:13-15

"Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:"

They are shown the path of righteousness, but they love to do evil more and so abandoned the paths to return to the way of the world. This is not Christians falling back into sins, this is knowledgeable professed Christians abandoning Christ to return to the world. Having received the knowledge of truth in the paths of righteousness, these people are so perverse that they choose to return to the kingdom of darkness. God likens them to the unclean dog who vomits, purging himself from uncleanness, and then that dog returning to eat again that which he has vomited out (2nd Peter 2:22). In other words, even though they came in among us, they were still dogs, and had never really become a new creation. They never really received a new nature or had become spiritually purged. So as the dog, they returned to doing what dogs do naturally. This type of traitorous behavior is slanderous against God. To deem the filth that you have left, to be of greater value than Christ's cleanliness and righteousness, is to become anathema or accursed. When there is willful sin, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, God declares that there is no more sacrifice for sin. That is not what I declare, but what God says. In other words, we have willfully decided to become the enemy of the "only" sacrifice for sin that there is. It is then impossible for that one to be recovered again. For having shamed the "ONLY" sacrifice for sin, they have willfully chosen death over life. Lest we forget, salvation is by Grace of God. So this person cannot just decide to go back and forth between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. God is the one on the throne, not man. And from the word of God, it is made abundantly clear that committing such a sin, God would give no seed of repentance under such circumstances in such a rejection. And in this same context of Hebrews chapter 10, God continues the warnings:

Hebrews 10:28-31

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Indeed it is! If the fallen Covenant of Israel people did not escape when they refused the law brought by Moses (who warned them on earth), how much less can we escape if we turn away from Christ who warns us from heaven. And note that these are Covenant people who have turned away from God, tred Christ under foot, and have counted the blood of the covenant wherewith they were sanctified, an unholy thing. One might ask, how were they sanctified or made holy by the blood if they are unsaved? Clearly they were sanctified by being part of the Covenant family (1st Corinthians 7:14), and thus having in some sense partaken of the Holy Spirit that dwells within the Covenant body. These are blessings of the Lord over the whole Covenant body, even though everyone in the external or local Covenant Church are not truly saved. Not anymore than everyone in the Covenant nation of Israel were truly saved in the Old Testament dispensation. Yet they were a sanctified people, holy "set apart" for the service of God. And in this context, such sinners who have part in the body and receiving knowledge and yet turning away from what he knows to be the truth, has done despite unto the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). And doing despite to (or insulting) the Spirit, is blasphemy against God. These are the people of God who will never have forgiveness if they blasphemy the Holy Spirit. This is the sin unto death (1st John 5:16). How much severe punishment will God afford those who commit this sin of selling out their birthright? It is not something that will be made right by the shedding of a few tears. Just as Esau sold his birthright for the temporal delight of worldly pleasure, and could never find repentance afterward. Likewise, the Covenant brothers today who sell Christ, their birthright, for the temporal way of the world, will never find repentance unto salvation. For salvation is not a man's right, it is by God's Grace alone! Esau is our example of one who never found the grace in true repentance, though he sought it with tears:

Hebrews 12:16-17

"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
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."

Selah! He found no grace, though he sought it with tears. Likewise Judas wept bitterly afterward, but found no place for repentance. These sins were unforgivable. God never gave them true repentance unto salvation. These are examples, profound warnings to the Covenant body against apostasy and tempting the Lord our God. We cannot sell out our birthright, we cannot apostasize to turn again to serve Satan, and think that we will be renewed again unto repentance.

On the other hand, those truly in Christ need not fear this sin for two reasons. Number one, if we are truly born from above wherein we are eternally saved, we will never apostasize to become an enemy of Christ and bow down again to bondage in serving sin.

Ephesians 1:13-14

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

True believers are sealed, [sphragizo] or spiritually marked as secured by the Holy Spirit. They make their calling and election sure and will never fail. And number two, those who willfully, deliberately, consciously turn against Christ after that they have received the knowledge of the truth, were never truly saved in the first place.

1st John 2:19

"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

Clearly, whatever their pretensions and professions made, they were never truly Christians sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. They didn't lose their salvation, they never truly had it. They were antichrist or pseudo-christians, rather than those truly for Christ. And by forsaking God after being enlightened, it is then become impossible for them to obtain salvation. And note, Hebrews 10:25-27 is in the context of the Covenant Church, and the willful falling away "after" having received the knowledge of truth. This is knowledge that can only be revealed in the body collective by the Spirit of God. Remember, all those who are of the Covenant body, have in some sense tasted of the gift from heaven. Just by being there among the Elect. So they, above all, should know that His glory should be eternally celebrated. So that if after this, they turn away from Christ to serve a false Christ, Satan, they will never receive sacrifice for their sins. God says very clearly concerning this person, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.." In other words, This person who does this will never be forgiven. This warning is repeated in mark.

Mark 3:28-30

"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

Mind you, this does not mean that those who fall back into the world (sometimes called backsliders, though not biblically) are guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, nor does it mean that one who falls back into the weakness of sins has committed this sin. Israel was backsliding, and yet God forgave them many times. If one still professes Himself a Christian, and has not effectively turned back to the world and denied Christ as Saviour after receive knowledge of God, he has not committed this sin. This sin is reserved for those who have come into the Church, have knowledge of the truth, and they turn their back on it to serve the devil as an enemy of Christ. To deem the work of God as evil. These leaders of Israel had knowledge of the scriptures, they claimed allegiance to God, and above all should have known better, and yet they were enemies of Christ claiming His Godly works were by Beelzebub, the Prince of the devils. This is why they had committed the unforgivable sin. i.e., they were antichrist, pseudo-christians, they were once enlightened, they were part of the Covenant congregation leadership having tasted of the heavenly gift and the good word of God. They were acclimated to the powers of the world to come. Yet they fell away to not even recognize Christ, and to crucify him and put Him to open shame. This is why their sin is unforgivable.

The real evidence of the meaning of Jesus' warning about blasphemy of the holy ghost is fixed firmly within the narrative of the passages. The unpardonable sin is in their being afforded place as part of the covenant body, and yet they deem the only work of the medicinal waters of salvation as deadly venom. That was clearly seen as they were attributing Christ's work to the work of Satan when they should have known better.

Matthew 23:1-3

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

The Scribes that came down from Jerusalem were part of the Covenant body, and yet they had fallen so far away from God's Spirit that they deemed their Messiah as an avowed enemy. They were the Covenant congregation leaders, Israelites to whom the adoption pertained to, and yet they believed His miraculous work was the work of Beelzebub. This was because they had fallen into apostasy wherein they would never rise from again. And as in the then present state of the Old Covenant congregation, there was no more sacrifice of expiation for the soul that had so fallen from God as to see His work as the deeds of Satan.

So when one asks, "What is the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit," we can honestly declare that it is to become part of the Covenant body, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants and the promises. And yet with all this honor and knowledge given by God, they fall away to deem the works of God's Holy Spirit, the work of Satan. To have become so abominable as to actually turn to see Christ as the enemy. Just as the scribes did, so also with anyone of the Church today who has tasted of the heavenly gift, been enlightened and been made partakers of the holy ghost, and fall away to become in bondage to serve Satan. The unregenerate has no pardons of any sins to begin with, so how can they commit one that is unpardonable? They never profess Christ, so all their sins are unforgiven. They have no profession of faith, nor have they claimed sacrifice in Christ, and so all their sins would be unpardonable. It is evident to me that this sin is committed specifically by members of the Covenant body, who claim pardon and yet who will fall away from God in spiritual harlotry.

In conclusion, I'm fully aware that there are many Christians would prefer to be evasive on this subject, or not to even know what the unforgivable sin is. Many may feel that declaring these truths makes them appear harsh or judgmental. But the fact is, God is harsh and God is the judge. And His word is faithful and true. So when He says that it is impossible for one of the Church to be renewed after being enlightened and falling away, then that is "exactly" what He means. We don't have to soft peddle it or be evasive in declaring this truth. Indeed, we should be compelled to bear witness to it. When God says those who speak a word against the Holy Ghost will never be forgiven, that is exactly what He means. We don't have to seek ways to make this word of truth of non-effect, rather we should testify to its guarantee. When God says it is better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them, then that is what God means. When God says that those who blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven, that is also what He means. And to pretend that it doesn't apply to anyone today, or to claim it is not committed by anyone in the Church is to dabble in absurdity. Can we say anything less than what is written as an example for us? We need not shy away from, or fear God's Holy word of truth if we are faithful witnesses. For better things than these are accounted to those whom God loves. In fact, in that very context of Hebrews, as God is declaring it "impossible" for those fallen this way to be forgiven, God comforts the beloved elect in the very next verses saying:

Hebrews 6:9

"But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak."

Though thus we speak? It seems today's Church would say, Blot it out and don't speak of it. But it is our duty to thus speak. Yet a true believer can never commit the unforgivable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, though we thus speak. It is very literally impossible for him to do so because God's word tells us that salvation can not be lost. That the sealing or securing of God is unto the day of redemption. Nevertheless, there are many professed Christians who "think" they were saved, and yet were never saved. And they may fall away and come under this terrible judgment of God that the Church seems to want to pretend has no relevance today. But the unfaithful Church today is not exempt from this sin, thus there is the necessity of faithful Christians bearing testimony to any sin that affects the health of the Body of Christ. These words of Judgment weren't written for a time long ago, but as a witness for all time for all people. And clearly we can be confident not only in God's word concerning those who have partaken of the Holy Spirit and fallen away, but also of His word concerning the better things accorded the Elect. We need not fear or question either one, but faithfully testify of both. As Watchmen! And though some Christians will consider such faithful testimony a type of judgmental stone throwing, it truly is God's witness. His word of both judgment and security. Not mine, but His. The old adage applies, "Don't stone the messenger because of the message." It is quite foolish to argue that God is unrighteous and cruel if He never pardoned some sin. For who are we to reply against God? We can be comforted in the knowledge that God's word is not only true and trustworthy, it is righteous. But know and understand beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany true salvation, though we thus speak."

Amen!

Peace,

Feel free to duplicate, display or distribute this publication to anyone so long as the above copyright notice remains intact and there are no changes made to the article. This publication can be distributed only in its original form, unedited, and without cost.

Created 1/15/09 / Last Modified 1/27/09
The Mountain Retreat / twarren10@aol.com