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What is "the unpardonable sin"? Many worry they have committed it. We read their letters.
But just what is this sin? Do only converted people commit it—or can non-Christians?
The answers are not what you think. Jesus spoke of a sin that "shall not be forgiven...neither
in this world, neither in the world to come." This sin is most often referred to as "the
unpardonable sin." Widespread confusion surrounds this subject.
So many people worry they may have committed, or did commit, the unpardonable sin. Yet most
do not know how to recognize the sin that "shall not be forgiven."
Can one know if he has committed this sin—or know that there is still hope because he has
not? These are vitally important questions. They require clear, plain answers! The next
two broadcasts bring them. You will find them most helpful.
The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Author of 80 books
and booklets. Editor-in-chief of The Real Truth magazine. Read by countless and growing
numbers in every nation and territory of the world. In a violent age full of bad news.
Answering life’s greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful
good news of the World to Come. And now, David C. Pack.
As a longtime pastor who has worked with many thousands, I have counseled scores of people
who were racked with fear, anxiety and concern that they were guilty of the unpardonable
sin. It was often painful to watch confusion, misunderstanding and guilt so unnecessarily
grip people who still sincerely wanted to serve God, after believing they had committed
this unforgivable sin. In many cases, they were absolutely certain they were guilty of
it. Invariably, after counseling, it was clear that they were not. But convincing them of
this was sometimes not easy. I have often had to explain that the very
act of being concerned is its own proof one has not gone far enough to be guilty of this
sin. Still, many continued to agonize that they had been condemned by God—with no hope
of being restored to the Christian path. It often took long hours—much counsel and explanation—to
reassure them that they had not committed the unpardonable sin! I was not always successful.
Some still gave up seeking and obeying God because they had lost hope!
Over two billion people profess to be Christians. While they have slight differences in doctrine,
they share generally similar beliefs. The truth is, most never truly study the Bible.
Many others never even open it. Most professing Christians have no idea what their Bible teaches—on
almost any subject. Their beliefs are derived from assumptions based on what they have been
told it says. This is perhaps most true about what a Christian
is. Before the subject of the unpardonable sin can be understood, the definition of a
Christian must be established. Again, billions believe they are Christians. They can also
readily give their definition of a Christian, but not the Bible definition.
Certainly all who profess to be Christians want to be saved! This goal cannot be separated
from either the question of what is a Christian or that of what is the unpardonable sin. Consider
for a moment: If one is not a true Christian, then the issue of the unpardonable sin may
be largely irrelevant. We will clarify this later.
On the other hand, if one is a true Christian, but commits the unpardonable sin, however
it is defined, he will not be saved. This much is not hard to understand—but it is
very important. So, understanding the sin that "shall not be forgiven" certainly is
relevant to the real Christian! He must be very careful not to commit this sin.
First, consider salvation from another viewpoint. If one desires to be saved, learns what he
must be saved from, understands that salvation is a gift, but does not know how to receive
it, what good does God's offer do him? All of this has everything to do with what a Christian
is. Do not be sure you know the answer. Surely no sincere person who understands even
the most basic teachings of God thinks God will save those who are not Christians. (Read
Acts 4:12.) Yet almost no one understands the Bible definition of a Christian!
Since only true Christians will be saved, we must know what is a true Christian. As
with any doctrine, we must examine what God's Word teaches. Then we will be prepared to
discuss the unpardonable sin. Let's understand how God defines a Christian.
There is a single verse to which we can turn that defines a Christian. But it is not the
popular idea taught in the so-called "Christian" world.
The apostle Paul wrote, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons
of God." A Christian is one who has the Holy Spirit leading him. But is having God's Spirit
absolutely essential to being a Christian? Paul added, "You are not in the flesh, but
in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His"! It is that simple! One either has the Spirit
of God, and is a Christian, or does not have it, and is not a Christian—is "none of His."
All who are truly converted must have the Holy Spirit in them.
But what does this mean? And is this all there is to Christianity and conversion?
Human beings do not have life inherent within them. They are not born with an immortal soul.
(Read these verses.) Since you are not immortal, your life will span a certain allotted time,
after which you will die. That's absolute. (Read Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27.) Unless
God intervenes in your life, you have no future—no hope—beyond a limited time of about 70 to
80 years. You must receive the Holy Spirit. But how?
Most believe there are no requirements—no conditions—to being saved. This is not true.
The following verses prove that there are three pre-conditions that must be met just
to receive the Holy Spirit. Let's now settle some basic understanding.
On the day Christ established the New Testament Church, the apostle Peter gave a powerful
sermon. It was so convicting that 3,000 were baptized. Before baptism, many had asked,
"What shall we do?" Peter answered, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit." This is God's plain command to: (1) Repent, (2) be baptized—in this order—to
receive the gift of God's Spirit! Mark 1 verses 14 and 15 adds that Christ taught one must
also (3) believe the gospel of the kingdom of God.
From baptism forward, the new convert is led by the Holy Spirit. Once we are ready to discuss
the unpardonable sin, this will be critically important to remember.
To repent means to change. The repentant mind reflects a completely different, changed attitude.
It has gone from the way of pleasing the self, to seeking to please God. It wants to submit
to God and His way! Human nature is vanity, jealousy, ***, greed,
envy, resentment, foolishness and more. It is the way of grasping for self—looking
out for self. Notice: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh
cannot please God." This passage shows that receiving God's Spirit
is crucial if one hopes to please God. Verse 6 had said, "For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." The spiritually-minded have the
Holy Spirit. Christ called God's Spirit the "Spirit of truth." He said it would lead the
convert "into all truth." Perhaps the most important truth a Christian
can be led to see is a proper understanding of himself—and the forces at work within
his human nature. Ephesians 2:2 reveals that Satan is the "prince of the power of the air."
As the "god of this world," he broadcasts a "spirit of disobedience" into the masses
around the world. His way is opposite to the Way of God. He broadcasts a spirit of hostility
and rebellion against all things of God. Satan teaches the way of "get," instead of the way
of "give" (Acts 20 verse 35). The converted, spirit-led mind resists Satan's
broadcast. It is a mind that wants to grow. It exalts God, humbles itself and seeks to
please God in every possible way. Such a mind wants to draw near to God through prayer,
study, fasting, meditation and regularly exercising God's Spirit—the five tools of Christian
growth! It abhors itself (see Job 42 verses 5 and 6) and sees itself as a vile piece of
fleshly junk not worthy of God's marvelous grace and mercy. Repentance is an ongoing,
continual attitude of wanting to change, to do better—to daily grow, overcome and become
more like Jesus Christ. The repentant mind "hungers and thirsts" after
God's righteousness. That mind believes, through use of Christ's own faith (Ephesians 2:8 and
Revelation 14:12), that Jesus is his personal Savior and that He has paid the death penalty
for the new child of God, now no longer condemned. The one who has just received God's Spirit
has been given a tiny bit of the mind of Christ and the power and nature of God. Peter wrote
that Christians are "partakers of the divine nature," which is God's nature. Human nature,
once the sole custodian of the mind, is to be slowly replaced by God's divine nature
through the presence and growth of the Holy Spirit within us. Receiving God's Spirit does
not mean that one has suddenly lost human nature. That nature remains present and active—in
opposition to God's nature. It is critical to come to understand this ongoing battle
within the converted mind—and how some misunderstand it and fall into believing they can no longer
be forgiven. (You may wish to read our booklet Did God Create Human Nature?)
Some background greatly helps in establishing what is the unpardonable sin.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus was attacked and accused by religious leaders who felt
threatened by what He taught. On one occasion, Christ had healed a blind and dumb, demon-possessed
man. The onlookers were amazed when this man could suddenly see and speak. But the scribes
and Pharisees, it says, "went out, and held a council against Him, how they might destroy
Him." Shortly after this, a Pharisee confronted Jesus asking where His power to perform this
healing came from—and accused Him of casting out demons by Satan's power: "But when the
Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils [meaning, demons],
but by Beelzebub the prince of the [demons]." Jesus knew exactly what was happening and
saw their motives were to deliberately attack and accuse. So He explained how Satan's kingdom
could not be divided and survive. He continued, "He that is not with Me is against Me; and
he that gathers not with Me scatters abroad." Incidentally, this means that Jesus' Church
is unified. Some become confused about this. Consider. Even Satan knows that his kingdom
cannot be divided and remain "standing." Certainly, Christ is at least as smart as the devil!
People either gather where Christ is gathering, or they are not part of His Church!
The World to Come will continue after this brief message. Discover more from David C.
Pack! Visit our website worldtocome.org. See The World to Come broadcasts, read and order
books, booklets and articles, all free of charge. To continue learning about the topics
covered in this broadcast, visit worldtocome.org today! Now back to David C. Pack.
This background introduces Christ's often-misunderstood statement about the unforgivable sin. Let's
read it: "I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:
but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever
speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against
the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the
world to come." Mark's account concludes in a slightly different
way, so it is also helpful to read: "All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and
blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy
Spirit has never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation [or judgment]."
Matthew explained that "all manner of sin and blasphemy" shall be forgiven, but that
"blasphemy and speaking against the Holy Spirit" are unforgivable. It is critical to know the
Greek word used for blasphemy is the same, whether it is against the Holy Spirit or the
Son of man, Jesus Christ. The key must be who or what is spoken or blasphemed against,
not the act itself. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
Is it simply taking God's name in vain—swearing? Is any form of swearing blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit? The key to understanding this is to properly
define the word blaspheme. "Blasphemy" means "Intentional indignity offered to God or sacred
things." This is important to grasp. Intent is involved.
The scribes and Pharisees knew what they were doing. Remember, they held a council for the
specific purpose of plotting against Christ. Their actions were not a result of sudden
anger or impulsive, short-sighted thinking. They had intent—pre-meditated and deliberate
intent—to discredit and *** Christ, even though they knew He was sent from God and
acted through God's power! Some sins are committed because they have
been carefully thought out toward a particular end. Deliberate planning has been involved,
as with the Pharisees. When such willful, pre-meditated intent comes into play, one
is in grave "danger of eternal damnation," as we saw.
Many ask if non-Christians can commit the unpardonable sin. The Pharisees were certainly
not converted—not Christians. Yet Christ said their intent placed them in danger of
committing this sin. There is the answer! Many religious leaders today, who profess
to believe in Christ, are modern "Pharisees." They deliberately misrepresent our doctrines—and
deliberately call us false prophets. This Work of God is reaching people in all countries
and territories of the world in great numbers. And these false prophets, from the false "Christianity"
of this world, love to accuse us of being false prophets, because they, like the scribes
and Pharisees who were threatened by Christ's teaching and healing, are threatened by the
good works of truth we are teaching. Herein lies another irony, better understood
later in the series. All who are still concerned that they have committed the unpardonable
sin almost certainly have not. But many who are not concerned may either have committed
it or are in danger of doing so! Anyone can foolishly curse or use God's name
in vain, and almost immediately be sorry and repent. But the unpardonable sin is when a
person deliberately hardens himself against God's Spirit, and the power and guidance of
that Spirit. Usually, such people become deceived early in this process, but later willfully
choose to continue in their actions until they destroy both their conscience and any
further desire to repent. Do not confuse willing sin with willful sin.
Some, believing they have committed the unpardonable sin, exclaim, "But I willingly sinned." Certainly
it is true that every time a person sins, they were willing to do it. The Bible does
not warn specifically about "willing" sin, but rather against "willful" sin. Of course,
it does warn against all forms of sin. Let's now examine Hebrews 10 to begin understanding
willful sin: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the
truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses'
law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose
you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted
the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and [get this]
has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Willful sin has to do with ignoring important
knowledge—truth. People quench the Holy Spirit by overriding
the way it guides them over a long period of time! Some become "hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin." But this hardening process does not occur overnight. It takes
time. People must persistently choke God's Spirit. Eventually, this ongoing action becomes
"willful," or premeditated, deliberate. Chapter 10, verse 29 explains that those who practice
sin have "trodden (Christ) under foot." They have counted His "blood" as "unholy." This
leads to the all-important statement that they "have done despite unto the Spirit of
grace." The key is they have committed willful sin—meaning full of will!
Let's consider the attitude of the Pharisees. First some setup: "As He spoke these words,
many believed on Him [Jesus]. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you
continue in My word, then are you my disciples indeed." This is basic Christian instruction.
Christians believe in Christ's sacrifice, and then practice—continue in—His word!
Some stop at the "believe on" stage. They do not go on to practice Christianity. They
do not actively copy the life of Christ. Their thinking—and Christianity—comes from entirely
different motives. Six verses later, Jesus confronted the very
ones who just "believed on Him." Notice how quickly their attitudes became hostile and
murderous: "You seek to kill Me [Christ said], because My word has no place in you...you
seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God…If I say
the truth, why do you not believe Me?" These are extraordinary statements! They reflect
the attitudes of so many today. Many who claim to "love Jesus" do not obey His words. These
are deceived and unconverted. They have been seduced into believing in a false conversion.
On the other hand, the few truly converted Christians today are seen as un-Christian
by the world because they reject popular, but false, doctrines.
The Pharisees and certain others appeared to want to follow Jesus Christ—maybe even
initially thought themselves sincere—while holding deceitful, murderous thoughts below
the surface. To intentionally plot, act or move against
God's Spirit is also to consciously know what you are doing in attributing the power of
God to the devil. Jesus was warning the Pharisees that this is what they were in danger of doing.
When one deliberately—with knowledge—ignores, squelches, or quenches the warning pricks
coming from the Holy Spirit within a converted mind, they are passing the threshold of the
unpardonable sin. They are making a "willful" decision not to respond to God's Spirit. This
blasphemes the work of His Spirit. Therefore, any sin that is continued—practiced—and
remains unrepented of—by willful choice—becomes unpardonable. God will not forgive it because
it has not been repented of! This question often arises: What if one commits
suicide—self ***? If one's very last thought and action were to commit this sin,
can such a person be saved? In other words, was this person's decision, which ended his
life in an unrepentant state, tantamount to committing the unforgivable sin?
In today's society, suicide is increasingly viewed as an acceptable means of solving one's
problems. In some legal systems, medical professionals have been given the right to assist in the
suicide of those whose conditions render them incapable of carrying out the act themselves.
Suicide is slowly being rationalized, and even becoming honorable. Aside from the moral
and ethical issues this raises on the human level, what does God say about suicide?
The Sixth Commandment states, "Thou shalt not kill." There is no distinction made between
killing another person and killing oneself. A person considering suicide reached that
point by allowing circumstances in his life to rule him. Paul wrote, "To whom you yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto
death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" He then exhorts, "Let not sin therefore reign
in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof."
Jesus taught, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Paul stated, "For no man ever
yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it..." A person contemplating suicide
may say he hates himself, but his real motivation is utter self-love, to the point that he totally
disregards the feelings and needs of others, and the impact that his actions will have
on his family and friends. Paul also stated, "[Love] seeks not her own..." and, "If any
provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the
faith, and is worse than an infidel [which is an unbeliever]."
Those who commit suicide may receive the same judgment as those who permanently ignore any
other sin. Their ultimate reward is shown in Revelation 21 verse 8: "The fearful, and
unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death." James 4:17 draws the distinction at what one knows to be right.
The Bible clearly shows that the unpardonable sin is any sin unrepented of. (Read I John
5 and verse 16.) Killing is certainly sin—and self *** is no exception. One who kills
himself is certainly at least in jeopardy of being left in an unrepentant condition
before God. The Bible does not directly tell us whether God overlooks and forgives such
an action because the person is no longer present and able to reconsider and repent.
Do not ever consider chancing that He will! Jesus taught His disciples to understand the
pulls of human nature at work within them: "That which comes out of the man [He said],
that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness,
an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." These attitudes, pulls of the flesh and wrong
patterns of conduct are at work within everyone. They leave us fertile for temptation by Satan,
the master "tempter." The apostle James explained how temptation
can turn into sin: "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own ***, and
enticed. Then when *** has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
brings forth death." Put out wrong thoughts and attitudes before they lead to action.
Do not ease up or assume victory before these feelings are gone!
There is more to understand about the unpardonable sin. So be sure to watch Part 2.
Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying, "Goodbye, friends."
This program was made available by Restored Church of God members and donors from around
the globe. Explore our vast library of literature and other World to Come programs, which are
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