A man came to me a few years ago and confessed that he had done something for which God won’t forgive him. As we talked, I’ll admit, it was a terrible sin. But I assured him that if he confessed it to God, God would completely and whole-heartedly forgive him. That’s why Jesus died on the cross – to forgive us our sins.
But this opens up a good question. Can a person do something that God won’t forgive?
The Bible verse below contains one of the most ominous warnings recorded in Scripture. Jesus’ ministry had grown to enormous proportions. The religious leaders were jealous. But they had no answers for the miracles He did and the effect it had on the people. In their frustration the leaders resorted to slander by accusing Jesus of being possessed and powered by Satan. This act brought about the solemn warning of the unpardonable sin.
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. (Mark 3:28-29)
To help you understand this, I would like to ask and answer three questions.
1. Is it possible to commit a sin that is unforgivable?
Yes. This Bible passage is clear that there is a sin that can never be forgiven. However, it is often overlooked that Jesus also said that every other sin and blasphemy is forgivable. No matter what you’ve done against God or others, God will forgive you if you come to Him.
2. If it is possible what exactly would that sin be?
Jesus defines this sin as ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.’ Blasphemy is to speak reproachfully, rail at, or revile someone. In relation to God, it is attributing evil to God or deny good we should attribute to Him. In the context of the people Jesus spoke this to, it is refusing to attribute the clear, supernatural works of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus to God, but assigning these miracles to Satan. They rejected the work of the Holy Spirit. This becomes more important when we consider the role played by the Holy Spirit in salvation.
3. Is it possible for someone to commit that sin today or was it something that could only happen during Jesus’ ministry?
Few people have not wrestled with the thought that they have done something that cannot be forgiven. To those who are afraid they have committed the sin, I can say with absolute confidence that their being so troubled is testimony they have not committed it.
Historically, this was a sin that was specifically related to Jesus’ earthly ministry. In the face of clear evidence of the divinity of Jesus, the Jewish leaders persisted in attributing the miracles of Jesus to Satan. As such, it cannot be repeated today. Even these men were warned that they were in ‘danger’ of committing this sin.
However, there is a related sin that is committed today. It is to resist the Holy Spirit. Since it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict people of sin, to resist the Holy Spirit’s conviction is to remove oneself away from a place of forgiveness. To resist the Holy Spirit is to resist the only means a person can come to Jesus for forgiveness. This is not a situation of God’s refusal to forgive but of a person’s refusal to accept. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin that is not confessed.
What should a person do? I would suggest begging God to forgive you of your known sin. If you are not a Christian, He is willing to forgive your sin and save your soul if you will seek Him. If you are a Christian, you still have a struggle with sin. God will forgive and strengthen you to resist the temptations that hurt you. Confess your sin, and He is faithful and just to cleans and forgive you of all your sins.
For some, it does not really bother them that they are in disobedience to God. That’s a dangerous position. We can easily get used to our sin and not care what it does to us, our loved ones, or God. But sin will destroy everything that you have. Ask God to give you a tender heart and pull close to Him through prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with other growing Christians.