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Most of the time this question is asked when the person thinks they have committed a grievous sin that certainly God can’t forgive. They even think they can’t even forgive that sin themselves. Many times, these people are not very close to God, but they are either trying to get closer to God or they are just beginning to think seriously about their salvation. Of course, they may be “lost” and don’t have any idea how to deal with that situation. Something likely has recently happened so profound that the thinking goes to a situation that certainly is out of the ordinary. That profound occurrence may be a challenge to our normal lifestyle or not part of what we believe. There is a story in the Bible that fits this description perfectly.
The story is about a man who was possessed by a demon. The Book of Mark relates this story in many details. Out of this story comes three extremely prominent opinions about Jesus and who He really is. These three opinions are that Jesus was 1) out of His mind, 2) an unreasonable radical, or 3) ruled by demons.
Mark 3:20-21 states, “20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” It is said here that family thought Jesus was crazy. When this news got back to His family that they wanted to get to Him and take control of Him because they were convinced He was “out of His mind”. What about others who were not His family?
Mark 3:22, “22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” Here those described as teachers thought Jesus to be a radical. These people thought Jesus was possessed- a demon Himself. This opinion originated due to their thoughts that Jesus was acting like a demon when He cast out a demon. Then we see the third opinion in the Book of Matthew.
Matthew 12:22-24 states, “22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” The Pharisees clearly felt that Jesus was the ruler of demons- Beelzebub Himself. They felt Jesus had the demonic power of Satan. As usual, Jesus had an answer to these terrible opinions, but also as usual, Jesus was NOT upset. He had strong, brilliant comments.
Mark 3:23 begins Jesus’ answers, 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? So, Jesus was telling them His answer by asking another question – a habit that Jesus used often. So, He asked: Are you saying that Satan casts out Satan? This was Jesus’ secular answer. Jesus deals with the kingdom issue in Mark 3:24, “24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand”. Jesus is saying that a kingdom divided against itself is doomed and can’t stand. This is clearly stating that nations and secular organizations must not be divided. This, by the way, is a warning for all nations and countries to be united. America today is quickly failing to be united on almost all issues and God’s judgment may be close at hand. Then Jesus turns to the social and spiritual answers in the next two verses in Mark.
Mark 3:25 says, “25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
This is Jesus’ social answer to demon situation. It states that a house or family need to be united and not against family members.
Mark 3:26, 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.” This the spiritual answer from Jesus. It says that it is spiritually impossible for Satan to be divided from himself. So, Jesus provides the proof that He cannot be Satan if Jesus eliminates demons. Because He healed the demon possessed the man and drove the demon out of the man. This says that Satan cannot divide himself from himself- a demon.
Mark 3:27, “27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.” Jesus gives us some very good insight with this quote. A strong man must be bound to overcome him. So, Jesus reasons that the most terrible beast (Satan) flees at the appearance of Jesus. After the demon was removed from the man, the man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go tell others. The demon could not get back into the man because of the appearance and presence of Jesus. So, we learn that with Jesus us in us Satan flees and can’t get to us. The Apostle John reconfirms this in 1 John 4:4, 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” To followers of Jesus, He is divine. We must believe that Jesus is God, the Son of God.
Then Mark records an answer to our question about is there a sin that cannot be forgiven. Mark 3:28-30, 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” This is also recorded in Matthew 12:32, “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 in the age to come.” This is saying that the one who blasphemes or speaks against the Holy Spirit has an unclean spirit, a sinner uncleaned, and that person is doomed for eternity.
So, back to our original question-“What is the unpardonable Sin?” Let’s start with, “What it is Not!” It is not cursing Jesus, adultery, murder, nor even suicide and many others. “What is it?” It is rare, it is rehearsed, it is repeated sin by some religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They kept it up by rejecting Jesus over and over. To be specific, it was religious sin by Scribes. They were denying the deity of Jesus. This very different from a person today who is anxious over a sin they have committed and may think that is the unpardonable sin. However, this anxiety is not that one that is unpardonable because they are not denying that sin- just concerned over it.
Harden your heart against God and then God’s word makes no impact on us. We must believe in Jesus, who He is, that He died for our sins, and was resurrected. Then we must invite Him into our heart. Death makes it final for us if we confess and believe before that death. So, Believe!!!! We have been forgiven for all our sins. Romans 3:23, “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”. This tells us that All – not just some but all- have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So. ALL must confess our sins and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Thanks to Dr. David Jeremiah and The Holy Spirit