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Day 28 Matthew 12:31 Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Have you wondered if you’ve committed the unforgiveable sin? If so, then chances are, you haven’t committed it. Jesus talked about the only unforgiveable sin, blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, by prefacing it with what is forgiven – saying anything against him. In the Ten Commandments, God told the people they were not to take the name of the Lord their God in vain because he would not hold them guiltless. Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. God did not tell the people they had committed the unforgiveable sin by doing so, which is a good thing, considering how often every day God’s name is spoken in vain. However, Jesus mentioned the unforgiveable sin, warning the Pharisees they needed to be careful what they said. In telling him he worked with Satan in freeing people from unclean demonic spirits, they had not yet crossed the line. So, what is the unforgiveable sin? Consider what the work of the Holy Spirit is – to bring people to salvation in Jesus Christ. When you come against the work of the Holy Spirit, when you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and then renounce him, turning completely away from Jesus, calling him a liar, and embracing false gods and teachings, you are committing the unforgiveable sin. Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) The writer of Hebrews said it was impossible to make a new confession of faith in Jesus Christ, once you fall away from him. This is completely different from your friends and family members who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord but aren’t walking in him. They are simply backslidden. There is still hope they will renew their relationship with Jesus Christ. In Revelation, Jesus told John to write seven letters to the churches. In five of those letters he told them they needed to repent, or their candlestick, their work, would be taken from them. Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Those churches walked the fine line between relationship with Jesus Christ, and blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Those five churches also did not repent, and they no longer exist today. Jesus told the people that they can do all kinds of things in his name, but if their heart wasn’t in the work, he would still turn them away. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Those are the people who put on a good show for God, conning the people into believing they are great and wonderful Christians because they are doing so many great things for the kingdom of God. Yet, it isn’t for God they are doing it, but for their pockets. Jesus said, you would know those kinds of people, by the fruit they bear. Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. You can’t live both ways, though many have tried, eventually people will see you for the kind of person you are. It is those people who corrupt the Word of God, who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, because they have come against the work of the Holy Spirit, which is to bring people to salvation in Jesus Christ. A person who never accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, cannot blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. It is only after you accept him as Savior and Lord, and turn away from him, denying the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, that you lose your salvation, and have committed the unforgiveable sin. Let’s pray: Father, let your Word dwell in me, going deep into my inner being, my soul, so that I never deny the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 17 May 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay