The Unpardonable Sin

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 4
 
If there is one Bible passage more than another which is a source of worry to many a distressed sinner it is this: the "unpardonable sin." It brings constant fear to the unsaved soul. Yet the whole portion in which the words are found is a magnificent gospel for the worst unsaved sinner out of hell.
I was asked once to go to see a troubled man who feared he was about to die. At first he was beyond my understanding. He just sat and wept, seeming to be utterly broken down and in despair.
At last, when urged, he said: "To tell you the truth, sir, I've committed the unpardonable sin." "That's serious. Why did you not tell me?"
"I did not like to. I've committed the unpardonable sin, and I'm going to die, and there's no hope for me."
"There's no hope for you if you have committed the unpardonable sin. But do you know what the unpardonable sin is?"
He did not know and asked me to tell him.
At once we turned to Matthew 12. I said, "The Lord Jesus was here a man amongst men, and performing the most wonderful miracles. The scribes and Pharisees dared to say that the Lord did those miracles by the power of the devil. All the venom of Satan was in their accusation. Is that the sin you're committing?"
"No; I've never done that."
"Well, you've gone from bad to worse. You have done something that is a disgrace to your manhood. Does this make you think there is no mercy in the heart of God for you?"
"How do you know all this? I had a praying mother and father."
"You've never committed the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?"
"No."
"Then listen to the message: 'All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.' " Matt. 12:31.
When the light of God comes into a man's soul it thrills him with a new and abiding joy. This poor fellow had not committed the unpardonable sin. He had gone to awful depths, but that verse covers all: "All manner of sin." No sinner in the universe can engineer himself out of it.
The light of the gospel shone into the distressed man's soul. He saw the fullness of it and could rest in what the Savior said.
Then a sudden cloud came over his mind. "I'm going to die," he said, "and there's my wife and children. What shall I do about them?"
"Oh, you are a silly man. The perfect love of God has measured our need and He is infinite in His resources. He has measured everything as to our sins and ourselves, our circumstances, and responsibilities. Cannot you trust Him?"
"I see it! Now I see it! God's love covers all."
And in the love of God he found rest.