The ONLY Unforgivable Sin

Matthew 12:22-37

In this alarming passage, Jesus speaks of a sin that cannot be forgiven. It is important to consider this statement within the broader context to understand what it means. Jesus is responding to the Pharisees who claim that He casts out demons by means of demonic power rather than the power of God’s Spirit (Mark 3:28-30). This is the second time in the book of Matthew that the Pharisees have said this (see Matt. 9:34; 10:25), and on top of that, they have hatched a conspiracy to kill Jesus (12:14). Their “blasphemy against the Spirit”, then, is not an impulsive action or statement. It is the settled and unchanging conviction that Jesus is not God and is therefore evil. In essence, the only “unforgivable” sin is a conclusive rejection of Christ rather than a humble reception of Him. Those who once rejected Christ and now have a changed desire to trust and follow Him may do so without fear that they have committed the unforgivable sin.

Questions for further thought:
1. Have I received God’s free gift of salvation through faith (trust) in Jesus Christ? Have I truly repented of my sin by the power of the Holy Spirit?
2. What is stopping me from doing that today?

Challenge: Christ’s sacrificial death tells us that He is eager to cleanse us from our sin. Don’t let unconfessed sin linger in your life. Turn and seek Christ’s forgiveness quickly and be cleansed!