Lesson 13 – When the Spirit Doesn’t Forgive

Matthew 12:31-32

But "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

The unpardonable sin is a dreadful thought, though it's not suicide as often heralded by those with just enough Bible teaching to be dangerous. Instead, the unpardonable sin is to reject that touch which brings about our salvation, the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus taught we can even reject him, but still find forgiveness. How can this be so? You see, although Christ is God in flesh, the Incarnate Lord living among us, our salvation is based upon the touch of the Spirit. Denying Christ can be forgiven as long as the Spirit continues to call upon your life, offering God's forgiveness.

One of the questions often asked is this, "Does there come a time when the Spirit will no longer call upon your life?" Does God give up on us and quit calling us to confess our sins and turn to faith in Jesus? I can't say for sure, but if there is, that is the point of the unpardonable sin. When a life can no longer respond to the Spirit's knock because the Spirit is withdrawn by God, there is no longer any hope for forgiveness. Sins will not be pardoned.

Notice the reference to the "age to come". While our Lord is a God of second chances, we can say for sure that when the age to come is upon us, our time for forgiveness is up. The game is over. All ties are broken. Without entering into eternity with the Spirit's touch, you forfeit every opportunity for forgiveness.

So the lesson is clear. Now is the time for our salvation. Now is the time to plead for forgiveness and experience the Spirit's touch. Don't wait until it is too late to know the Lord. He may give you a lifetime to come to faith, but that opportunity is only for this life. In the thereafter, there is no longer any opportunity for faith.

LORD JESUS

I thank you that you've given my life a chance to your forgiveness and that you continue to call men and women to faith in your love for us. Amen.

Also Luke 12:10