by Gary Colvin, Canon City, Colorado


Editor's Note: We frequently get questions that are difficult to answer, and many times we refer them to people who have more training than we in the field of the question. One of the frequently asked questions is what is meant by "the unforgivable sin" and can we commit that sin today. Here is a response by Dr. Gary Colvin that we feel does a good job of answering this question

Most of us have heard about the "unforgivable sin." A few are even concerned that they might be guilty of it. Jesus introduced the idea of such a sin 2,000 years ago when He said: "so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32).

Jesus spoke these ominous words to a group of hardened unbelievers who had just witnessed Him work a great miracle. Christ had instantly healed a man who was hopelessly blind and mute. Not even the unbelievers could deny the miracle, but they tried to discredit Jesus by attributing his miraculous power to Satan.

The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to work miracles, but when the obstinate unbelievers attributed that power to Satan, they crossed the line of Divine Tolerance. They committed the only unforgivable sin mentioned in Scripture.

That terrible sin cannot be committed today. Jesus no longer walks the earth working such miracles, and humans no longer can see His miracles and attribute them to Satan. In fact, the age of such miracles ended with the passing of the apostles of Christ.

Blind unbelief still abounds in the world, but every sin is forgivable if we repent and come to Jesus. Humans are capable of terrible sins, but no sin is greater than Christ's ability to forgive. The grace and atoning sacrifice of the Savior of mankind is more powerful than any human sin.

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; through they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Back to Contents Does God Exist?, MayJun06.