“How can I be certain that I’ve not committed the unforgivable sin?”

“I tell you this truth, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come.” –Matthew 12:31-32


Many times Christians will read these words and live a life that is full of worry about the fear of this verse, many times taken out of context.

During Jesus’ day, there were Pharisees (religious leaders) who would often believe that Christ’s miracles were because Jesus was in alliance with Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Unlike thos who are afraid that they have committed the unforgivable sin, these religious leaders were completely unconcerned about Christ’s forgiveness. Instead, they would go against the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Christ being the true Son of the living God. It is so important that we recognize that the unforgivable sin is not a single act but a continuous, ongoing rejection.

It is interesting to see that those who have committed this sin have no godly regret. As Paul teaches us in the book of Romans, they not only continue their evil ways but approve of others who do so as well (Romans 1:32). However, “godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10). Sorrow for sin and the desire for Christ’s forgiveness is proof positive that you have not rejected the Savior of your sins. Remember, our old boy Peter, who rejected Jesus, not once, but three times. But what happens? Jesus forgives him, and not just that, but Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16) becomes the cornerstone of the Christian church.

All in all, the Bible consistently teaches that those who spend eternity separated from God do so because they willingly, knowingly, and continuously reject Jesus’ message of the Gospel. John refers to this sin as the “sin that leads to death” (1 John 5:16) in the sense that those who refuse forgiveness through Christ will spend an eternity apart from God. Know today that you can receive God’s forgiveness by accepting Jesus today and never be turned away.

Coram Deo,
Trev

Questions answered Blog entry # 1

What is sin?

 

In today’s world, it has become politically incorrect to talk about sin. However, the Bible makes it crystal clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). What does this exactly mean though?

 

I think that we all need to understand that sin isn’t just something big, like murder, rape or robbery. Sin is failing to do the things we should and doing the things that we shouldn’t be doing. In short, sin, as a word, describes anything that fails to meet God’s standard of perfection. Sin is actually the barrier between us and a satisfying relationship with God. I love the example that light and dark cannot be in the same room together, God and sin cannot exist together either.

 

Sin isn’t just a barrier between God and us, but also between you and other people. Any look at the news for five minutes, or newspaper lets us know this truth. We live in a time where terrorism abounds and the world as we know it can be destroyed in a second by nuclear force.

 

Sin is also a deprivation of good. As such, sin is characterized by a lack of something rather than being an end to itself. As earlier stated sin is a break in the relationship to God and others rather than being an “ontological substance.”

 

May you make a break from sin, and realize God has so much more He wants to do in you this week.

 

Coram Deo,

Pastor Trev