…The Greatest Sin

Recently we had a panel discussion of question and answers from the congregation. Many were sent in ahead of time and we started with those, but we also had many more sent to us during the discussion time via text messages. Obviously, we had many more questions than we had time to answer. We will attempt to address many of those through these Blog posts on our website.

One such question was, “Is there such a thing as the “greatest sin?” Let’s assume the questioner is referring to what many call the “unpardonable sin” since many people use those terms interchangeably. Any sin that cannot be forgiven would certainly qualify as the “greatest sin.”

In Matthew 12:31-32closeMatthew 12:31-32 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (ESV) closeMatthew 12:31-32closeMatthew 12:31-32 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (ESV) 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (ESV) , Jesus said, “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (NIV) Some people say this means consistently and consciously rejecting Jesus as Messiah since the Holy Spirit is the one who leads us to Him. Jesus was referring to His critics who said that the miracles He performed were attributed to an evil (unclean) spirit. In fact, Jesus used the power of the Holy Spirit to perform those miracles.

It would be blasphemous and unforgiveable to attribute the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan or an evil Spirit. The sin was blasphemy, done deliberately and without repentance, by knowledgeable religious people, despite irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

Of course, there are those today who would claim the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer in operation, and that is their prerogative. It is a different matter altogether to claim the works of the Holy Spirit – either those done by Jesus or those done by His followers today – are from Satan.

It has been my experience that people who are afraid or genuinely concerned about committing the “unpardonable sin” haven’t. Just the fact that they are concerned demonstrates the Holy Spirit is still at work in their lives! Do not be afraid that you could commit that sin – read Romans 8:1closeRomans 8:1 Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) closeRomans 8:1closeRomans 8:1 Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Life in the Spirit 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (ESV) with gratitude.

…That’s what I say…what say you?

Pastor Ron