Visiting a cottage with the Word of God an evangelist met a young woman, the wife of a miner. On previous occasions he had had long talks with her and her husband about their souls. She received him kindly and together they read: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). And again: "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified to His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record, that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:9-129If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:9‑12).
"See," said the evangelist, "eternal life is given to all who believe on the Son of God, but those who do not believe God's witness about Christ have made God a liar."
"What!" exclaimed the woman, "is eternal life given to all who believe?"
"Yes, to all. God says so, then it must be true.
Take my Bible and read it again for yourself." She took the Bible and read the passage. "The words are there are they not?" said the evangelist.
"Yes, they are indeed," she replied.
"Do you believe God when He says, 'He that hath the Son hath life'?"
"But, can all sins be forgiven? Can all?" She stressed the word all―"Can all sins be forgiven?"
"Yes, by virtue of the blood of Christ. God says so. What makes you doubt His word?"
"Well," she said, "one day when I was a little girl, a wood-wagon driven by two men stopped at a tavern opposite our cottage. The men went into the tavern and spent a long time drinking.
"When they came out, one of them uttered a fearful oath, and his companion said: "There! you have sinned against the Holy Ghost; you will never be forgiven in this life nor in the life to come.'
"Those words made a deep impression on my mind, which has remained ever since. I fear lest I may have sinned against the Holy Ghost."
"What! Has Satan been using this to make you despair, and to keep you from Christ all these years? Do you think you have committed the unpardonable sin?"
"Yes, I fear I have," she said.
“‘Because they said He hath an unclean spirit.'
"You have never said that?" he said.
Her face brightened as she answered, "No!"
In a moment the stumbling-stone was removed and she professed to rest in the finished work of Christ.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of God is altogether different from sinning against Him. Every sin is a sin against the Spirit of God. But to say of the Son of God, "He hath an unclean spirit," was blasphemy.
"Let us now read two passages which speak of sinning against the Holy Ghost," continued the evangelist: " 'Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.' Acts 7:5151Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51). 'They rebelled, and vexed His Holy Spirit; therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.' Isaiah 63:1010But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. (Isaiah 63:10). Surely rebellion against God in the presence of light, and love and mercy, when His word is preached is sin."
Reader of these lines, please ask yourself:
"Have I been doing this?"
All sin is against God the Spirit. But it is He who has written for your comfort: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
That precious blood makes the foulest sinner clean; that blood washes "whiter than snow."
Do not let Satan by his misuse of Scripture keep you from the joy of knowing that your sins are all put away from before the eyes of God by the precious blood of Christ.
Precious, precious blood of Jesus,
Shed on Calvary,
Shed for rebels, and for sinners,
Shed for me.
Though thy sins be red like crimson
Deep in scarlet glow,
Jesus' precious blood can make them
White as snow
"When I see the blood, I will pass over you.