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The Unforgivable
Sin
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Amber asks - Are there unforgivable
sins? Things for which you will not ever be forgiven?
I thought I heard that there were - unsure - so I wanted to ask. (scary question for me) |
Biblebell's reply
The only unforgivable sin mentioned in the Bible is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
In order to understand the nature of this "unforgivable sin" we must examine some background. To wit... |
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(Jesus
said...) I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will
be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the
(Holy) Spirit will not be forgiven
men. Mt 12:31 |
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Shortly BEFORE Jesus was born
- When Lord Jesus came down from Heaven to be born from the virgin
Mary's womb, He "emptied Himself" of certain of His attributes as God.
- The Bible does not specifically identify exactly WHAT it was that
Jesus surrendered.
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Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing
in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking
the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself,
becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Philipp
2.5-8 |
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Jesus at 30+ years of age
- Some 30 years AFTER Jesus was born from Mary's womb, we come to
the time when Jesus spoke of the unforgivable sin.
- This event took place when Jesus did a miraculous healing.
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Then one was brought to Him (Jesus) who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind
and mute man both spoke and saw. Mt 12:22 |
- NOTICE that Jesus said He did this healing-miracle
"by the Spirit of God."
- In Biblebell's opinion, Jesus did ALL His miracles by the power
of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because He had emptied Himself as shown above.
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(Jesus
said...) I cast out demons by the Spirit of God...
Mt 12.28a |
- Alas, the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees) did not praise
God that a horribly afflicted man had been healed.
- Instead, they said that this healing was accomplished because
Jesus was a tool of Beelzebub (another name for Satan).
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Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does
not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." Mt
12.24 |
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In so many words, the Pharisees accused God's Spirit
of being the devil!!!
- Jesus strongly rebuked them (Mt 12.25-32).
- This rebuke culminated with the Lord's statement about the unforgivable
sin; namely, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
- Ergo, the unforgivable sin is to attribute the work of
God's Spirit as being the work of the devil.
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(Jesus
said...) I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will
be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Mt 12.31 |
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Now for the question -- can YOU commit the unforgivable
sin?
The answer to this question is Yes, IF AND ONLY IF...
- Jesus is physically present and visible on the earth.
- You personally witness Jesus as He performs miracles by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus has NOT shed His blood, died, and risen, in order to atone
for your sins OR...
- Jesus has died and risen, but His sacrificial death is inadequate to atone for certain
really horrible
sins.
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(Jesus...) bore our sins in His own body on the tree First Pet 2.24a
(Jesus...)
gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from
every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works. Titus 2.14
If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
First John 1.7
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
First John 1.9 |
Since the conditions described above can NEVER occur, it is no longer
possible to commit an unforgivable sin.
ALL
sins are forgiven to the one who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior. Halleluyah! |
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If you...
- Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and
- Believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead,
- You will be saved.
- For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and
- With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10.9-10
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Should a Christian
"turn the other cheek" against terrorists?
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Question
Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek when confronted with evil.
In view of this, shouldn't all Christians be pacifists?
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Bible Bell Reply
Quoted alongside is the verse referred to by the question. |
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(Jesus said...) I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right
cheek, turn the other to him also. Mt 5.39 |
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Pacifism?
The verse alongside makes it clear that every Christian should seek to be a peacemaker.
However, does this mean that...
- A Christian should not defend his or her family from violence or
murder?
- A Christian should not be a police officer or a member of the military
forces that defend the peace?
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(Jesus said...) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Mt 5.9 |
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Concerning the Lord's teaching to "turn the other cheek"...
- This teaching was given to explain Leviticus 24.19-20, which was
a law established by God, for administration by the judiciary of Israel.
- The teaching was necessary because some folks were mis-using this
law as a basis for taking personal
revenge.
- The Lord made it clear that God's people should NOT twist God's laws
so as to seek personal revenge, or set out on personal vendettas, or act as vigilantes.
- Christ did NOT teach that we are to see our families murdered, or
to be murdered ourselves, rather than to make resistance. The Lord's teaching precludes vengeance, not self-defense.
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(Jesus said...) You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an
eye and a tooth for a tooth," but I tell you not to resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you on your right
cheek, turn the other to him also. Mt 5.38-39
If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him -- fracture for fracture,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. Lev 24.19-20 |
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Are governments constrained to "turn the other cheek?"
The Bible verses alongside show that it is the God-ordained
responsibility of local and national governments to...
- Provide peace officers and military forces.
- Resort to use of "the sword" (armed force), as necessary,
to maintain the law and protect the peace and security of citizens.
- Execute wrath on those who practice evil.
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Rulers (governments) are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the
authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But
if you do evil, be afraid; for he (peace officers and military personnel) does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger
to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Rom 13.3-4
(God said..)
Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. Gen 9.6 |
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Should Christians NOT join the Armed Forces?
Since the government's armed forces are ordained by God, there is NO reason why a Christian should not be a peace
officer or member of the military...
- Acts chapter 10 records that Cornelius, a Centurion in the Roman
Army, was saved by the grace of God, and baptized by the Holy Spirit. Nothing was said about his having to leave
military service as a condition for his salvation.
- Moreover, Hebrews chapter 11 (the "faith hall of fame")
strongly applauds individuals who, by force of arms, defended their nation against attack.
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There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of
what was called the Italian Regiment... While Peter was still speaking these words (the Gospel), the Holy Spirit fell
upon all those (Cornelius and his family) who heard the word.
Acts 10.1, 10.44
For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the
prophets: who through faith... became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Heb 11.32, 11.34b |
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Conclusions
- The Lord's statement to "turn the other cheek" was given
to preclude personal vengeance, NOT self-defense of one's own person or family against direct attacks, violence,
or murder.
- As shown by verses quoted above, Christians may rightfully serve,
and bear arms, as members of the peace-keeping forces of the government.
- Christian members of peace-keeping forces may rightfully participate
in the government's God-ordained efforts to "execute
wrath on him who practices evil."
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