First, let us read Luke 12:8-10, “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”
According to RC Sproul, “Frequently the unforgivable sin is identified with persistent and final unbelief in Christ. Since death brings the end of a person’s opportunity to repent of sin and embrace Christ, the finality of unbelief brings the consequence of the termination of hope of forgiveness.”
”Sproul also wrote, “Blasphemy is something one does with the mouth or the pen. It involves words. … When Jesus warned of the unforgivable sin, it was in the context of His accusers declaring that He was in a league with Satan. His warning was sober and frightening. Yet, on the cross Jesus prayed for forgiveness of those who blasphemed against Him on the grounds of their ignorance. ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’” – Luke 23:34
Sproul also wrote, “But if people are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to the degree that they know that Jesus is the Christ, and then they accuse Him of being satanic, they have committed a sin for which there is no pardon.”
Sproul’s last statement is very sobering. I would wonder though if one truly came to Christ, then they would surely never leave Him or call Him satanic. I would say that they never knew Jesus as Savior. But if they truly did know Him and then called Him satanic, then for that sin, there is no pardon in this life or the next. If that person truly knew Jesus as their Lord & Savior, and they committed this sin, they have lost all hopes of Heaven and are doomed to Hell fire in the next life.
Christians have the choice of free will and left to their own devices, they could possible commit the unpardonable sin. But God who has called His “Elect” would most likely restrain His “Elect” from ever committing such a grave sin that would cause one to lose their salvation permanently. Many Christians may feel they have committed this sin, but most likely they have not. Those who would commit a sin such as this, their hearts are most likely hardened to the point that they feel no remorse for it.
Sproul ends his commentary with this. “Though the occult and Satanism provide a context of perilous danger for the commission of the unpardonable sin, if radical blasphemy occurs here it may still be forgiven because it is committed in ignorance by those unenlightened by the Holy Spirit.”
There have been many Christians who have asked about the unpardonable sin. This was the best answer to their questions using a well renowned theologian and minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our hope to bring answers to your questions on a regular basis so that it will help strengthen your walk with Christ.
References:
RC Sproul, General Editor, The Reformation Study Bible (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015) 1739.
Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc.; Copyright © March 7, 2021.
Marketplace Evangelism Today 