This chapter continues the miracles and teachings of Jesus including more healing on the Sabbath, the names of the twelve disciples, and the definition of siblings / parents in faith. We’re going to look at a commonly misunderstood passage on blasphemy.
“And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul,’ and ‘by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.’ And he called them to him and said to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand… Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven 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.’ ” (v22-24, 28-29)
Jesus says that all sins will be forgiven, including blasphemy, and in the next breath says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin. All sin is forgivable, yet is it possible there is sin which is unforgivable? The answer is both yes, and no.
First, we must define that blaspheming is rejecting the truth that God is who He says He is, and keeps His word. Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit specifically is denying that He works to convict, counsel, guide, and cleanse us.
In order to be “guilty of an eternal sin”, one must believe and act as the scribes / Pharisees did in this passage – have an unwavering and permanent belief against the Holy Spirit / God / Jesus. They had already decided in their hard hearts that Jesus was evil, and working for Satan, and they would not change their minds or confess their sin. In that sense, their sin was eternal (they were unrepentant), and would not be forgiven.
Scripture is very clear however, that those who repent, even those who have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit have been forgiven (Saul / Paul is a prime example of this, calling himself the ‘chief sinner’).
So yes, there is eternal / unforgivable sin if it remains unconfessed. However, there isn’t any specific sin that God cannot forgive through the blood of Jesus, if the sinner humbles their heart before God and accepts the forgiveness / salvation God freely offers.
Father God, our Merciful and Gracious Lord, we praise Your holy and magnificent name. You alone have the ability to forgive our sin, because our sin is disobedience to You. Thank you for making salvation possible through the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you for showing us no sin is unforgiveable if we’re willing to humble our hearts and confess it. Thank you for the work of the Spirit to convict, guide and heal us from sin. May we enter into your presence daily, ensuring that no sin remains unconfessed, so we may properly represent You to our neighbors. In the name of Jesus our Savior we honor and seek to obey You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training