Forgiveness requires more than mere words

Dear Chaplain>> Is there anything that God won’t forgive people for?

SIGNED, IS ALL FORGIVEN

Dear Is All Forgiven>> Thanks so much for your question. In the Christian faith, sin is breaking God’s rules and laws. Most of us sin daily because we live in a sinful world. God knows this, and also how hard it is for us not to sin because our human nature is weak. Further, he knows, no matter how hard we try to follow his rules we sometimes fail, because when we desire to do right in our hearts evil is always right there trying to influence us to do wrong. Yet, even with all of our imperfections, God still loves us and cares for us, and wants to forgive each of us for all of sins, whenever we commit them. That’s why he sent Jesus, his only begotten son to earth, so that whosoever believes on him will not perish but will have everlasting life, and the forgiveness of sins when they ask for it. But forgiveness requires more than mere words. It also requires a sorrowful heart and the genuine desire not to break God’s rules and laws again. So as long as a person believes on Jesus, and sincerely repents for their sins, they will be forgiven...unless they have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. Blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, which is talking badly about, insulting or cursing the Spirit of God is the only “unpardonable sin”.

“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. 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.” (Matthew 12:3132) “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” (Mark 3:29) “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10)

You see, Jesus took the punishment for all of our sins when he was nailed to the cross. (He took the punishment for the sins we commit against the Father, the Son and each other, but not the Holy Spirit because at the crucifixion the Holy Spirit hadn’t been sent to us yet.) In order to be forgiven today, we have to believe in what he did for us on the cross, and it is our faith that enables the Holy Spirit to: live in us, to help guide us to all truth, to convict us when we’re wrong, and to lead us to repentance. But if we sin against the Holy Spirit, the only One sent to help us be reconciled back into a right standing with God, if we alienate the only One who pricks the heart and leads us to repentance and the forgiveness of sins, we are hopeless because there is no one else left to help us. To avoid this grave sin, I suggest making a special effort to only speak about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with the utmost reverence and respect. I pray this answers your question and clarifies one of the most frequently asked about our faith. Ask the Chaplain is written by Rev. Dayna Spence, an ordained minister, licensed evangelist, and chaplain who’s served as a hospital chaplain and is currently serving as a hospice chaplain Chester County area. Please email “Ask the Chaplain” at 4thechaplain@gmail.com or write to, PO Box 1284, West Chester, PA 19380.