We are never to allow ourselves into thinking “I’m too far gone from salvation for I have sinned a lot” for that is the devil trying to convince you not to seek God’s forgiveness.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Peter, in light of what Jesus said about agreement and unity, hoped to sound extremely loving by suggesting forgiving a repentant brother up to seven times when three times was the accepted limit taught by many Jewish rabbis of that time, therefore Peter’s answer of “seven times” was thought to be generous, but Jesus’ reply does away with all limits and calculations.
Jesus answered unexpectedly, saying we are to forgive the repentant an unlimited number of times. Unlimited is surely the idea behind up to seventy times seven; it would be strange if Jesus expected us to count offenses against us up to 490, and at the 491st offense, to deny forgiveness.
As humans we are told to forgive a brother who sins against us up to 490 times. Can you imagine forgiving someone countless times even after they sin against you? If we, mere mortals who are but dust, are commanded to forgive someone that many times, can you imagine how many times a loving and caring Creator will forgive us?
There is only ONE sin which will never be forgiven by God, which is described in Luke 12:
Luke 12:10
“And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
One who “speaks a word against the Son of Man” refers to a moment of weakness (especially in public testimony), which could be forgiven. In contrast, he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is in a settled rejection of God’s truth, which will not be forgiven.
The eternal consequences of this sin force us to regard it seriously. How can one know if they have in fact blasphemed the Holy Spirit? The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows that they are not guilty of this sin. Yet continued rejection of Jesus makes us more hardened against Him and puts us on the path of a full and final rejection of Him.
Some young Atheist people – as a joke or a dare – intentionally say words they suppose commit the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. They think it a light thing to joke with eternity. Yet true blasphemy against the Spirit is more than a formula of words; it is a settled disposition of life that rejects the testimony of the Holy Spirit regarding Jesus. Even if someone has intentionally said such things, they can still repent and prevent a settled rejection of Jesus.
The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven - not because it is a sin too big for God to forgive, but because it is an attitude of heart that cares nothing for God’s forgiveness. It never has forgiveness because it never wants forgiveness God’s way. It may want forgiveness on its own terms, but never God’s way.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit refers to a total rejection of the testimony that the Spirit gives to Jesus and the plan of God. This is not so much a sin of the moment as of one’s entire life, an obstinate rejection of God’s message and testimony.
The way to not blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to receive Jesus Christ, and to put one’s loving trust upon Him today. To blaspheme it means to stop rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing us to Jesus.
There is no pardon for a person who dies in unbelief. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The only condition in which someone would have no forgiveness is if he/she is not among the “whoever” that believes in Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). To reject the only means of salvation is to condemn oneself to an eternity in Hell because to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable.
Do your friends and the world know how much you love Jesus as much as you love your family, your favorite TV shows, your favorite actors and movies, your favorite music, your car, your pets and all of these things of the world?
Are you living for Christ publicly or in secret? Are you only following the parts of the Bible which are convenient for you? Do you have evidence that the Holy Spirit is acting within you? As Paul Washer said, be very afraid you don’t.
Many people fear they have committed some sin that God cannot or will not forgive, and they feel there is no hope for them, no matter what they do. Satan would like nothing better than to keep us laboring under this misconception. The truth is that if a person has this fear, he/she needs only to come before God, confess that sin, repent of it, and accept God’s promise of forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). This verse assures us that God is ready to forgive any sin—no matter how heinous—if we come to Him in repentance. If you are suffering under a load of guilt today, God is waiting with His arms open in love and compassion for you to come to Him. He will never disappoint or fail to pardon those who do.
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