The Unpardonable Sin (Part 2)
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001
The Unpardonable Sin (Part 2)
"And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub,
and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them
unto
him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? ...
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."
(Mark 3:22, 23, 29-30)
A little while ago we considered what the "unpardonable sin" is NOT. Now,
we will try to understand what it IS.
Biblically speaking the "unpardonable sin" is specifically blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost, or against the Holy Spirit. In order to define the
unpardonable sin, we therefore need to define what the Bible means by the
words "blaspheme against the Holy Ghost". We should also consider the
context in which Jesus applied these words.
First, I would emphasize that the blasphemy here is that which is done
against the Holy Ghost -- the blessed third Person of the Trinity.
The meaning of the word blaspheme according to Strong's
Dictionary is "speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive".
Vine's Dictionary says this: "The word 'blasphemy' is practically
confined to speech defamatory of the Divine Majesty."
Now notice this quote that takes the meaning and the context into
consideration: "[an eternal sin] - They are liable for an eternal sin. This
passage has troubled many people, who have wondered whether or not
they have committed this eternal sin. Three things must be kept in mind:
(1) the nature of the sin is to ascribe what is the obvious work of the
Holy Spirit (e.g., releasing people from Satan's power) to Satan himself;
(2) it is not simply a momentary doubt or sinful attitude, but is indeed a
settled condition which opposes the Spirit's work, as typified by the
religious leaders who opposed Jesus; and (3) a person who is concerned
about it has probably never committed this sin, for those who commit it
here (i.e., the religious leaders) are not in the least concerned about
Jesus'
warning." (From NET Study Notes)
Again, I warn the reader that we dare not trifle with God! We should
never put off our salvation, nor should we presume that we would have
opportunity to return to God later, while presently rushing headlong into
the quagmire of sin. However, I would encourage all, who have the
slightest desire to come to God, to do so at the point of their will. And
I assure you that He is ready, willing, and faithful to hear the sinner's
cry for
mercy.
"And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely" and "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast
out." (Revelation 22:17; John 6:37)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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