Will The Unpardonable Sin . . . Ever Be Pardoned?

 

One of the greatest fears of Christians down through the centuries is that they’ve somehow committed the unpardonable sin, a sin so serious that it could never be forgiven.  It’s led some people to depression and despair, and caused others to give up.  It’s been the reason behind some people abandoning faith and morality because there’s nothing left to lose. 

 While Bible teachers might agree that most people who express this concern have probably not committed such a sin, it’s possible that some have.  And if a sin is unpardonable, how can it be pardoned?

The fear actually stems from the words of Jesus Himself.  He says that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a sin that will not be forgiven.

Jesus made His comment when He healed a demon-possessed man who could neither see nor speak.  The common people were amazed and wondered if Jesus could be the promised Son of David.  But instead of seeing what Jesus did as a true miracle of God, some of the religious leaders accused Him of being possessed by the devil, having an unclean spirit, and driving out demons by using the power of the devil himself.

The book of Mark records Jesus’ response with these words,

“I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.  But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” 

Those are strong words.  And they definitely give the impression that whoever commits this sin is in very great danger.

In order to get a better idea of what He meant when He said this, it’s important to note that the word never in this passage is not in the Greek text.  Jesus did not say the person will never be forgiven.  He actually said that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven to the age.  Or as it reads in Matthew, “either in this age or in the age to come.”

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is refusing to acknowledge that what God is doing is really from God.  It’s resisting His work in our lives.  It’s saying no to Him.  As long as that continues, nothing can be done.  It’s impossible for someone to experience God’s forgiving grace when that person doesn’t want it, whether it takes place in this age, the age to come, or in one of the ages to come. 

However, if after-death punishment is a place for healing sinners, when that is accomplished and they stop resisting God in their lives, then God’s forgiveness is granted and heaven’s doors are opened. 

George MacDonald addressed this situation in his Unspoken Sermon on Light:

“For the man who in this world resists to the full, there may be, perhaps, a whole age or era in the history of the universe during which his sin shall not be forgiven  . . . How can they who will not repent be forgiven, save in the sense that God does and will do all he can to make them repent? Who knows but such sin may need for its cure the continuous punishment of an æon?” 

God doesn’t act graciously toward His creatures only in this age or in the age to come.  According to the Apostle Paul, the incomparable riches of God’s grace will be shown in the ages to come.

God doesn’t give up!

From Heaven's Doors . . . Wider Than You Ever Believed!

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