A miracle performed by Jesus provoked two different responses: (a) the people—“Can this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:23); and (b) the Pharisees—“It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man

casts out demons.” (v. 24) In Matthew 12:22-32, Jesus discussed the unpardonable sin. The Holy Spirit brings God’s truth and enables us to recognize it, so to shut yourself off to His work is to shut yourself off to God’s truth. Verse 31 reads, “Blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, reveals our need, and points us to Christ. Reject Him and there’s no place else to go. First, the unpardonable sin is against the light of truth—“A demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him.” (v. 22) No one denied that a miracle happened. There are only two things to do with God’s Word: respond to it or be hardened by it. To continually be confronted by truth and to continually refuse it—this is the unpardonable sin. Second, the unpardonable sin is against the logic of reason—“If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.” (v. 26) Again, they weren’t denying the miracle but the power that caused it. Some people would rather remain ignorant than to accept the truth. Resisting the truth so consistently that you can’t recognize God’s voice speaking—this is the unpardonable sin. Third, the unpardonable sin is against the love of God—“Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (v. 32) Someone never exposed to Christ’s power and presence might reject Him in ignorance and then be forgiven in genuine repentance. But those who know His claims are true and reject Him anyway, have rejected the fullest revelation of truth! Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s offer of forgiveness by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ—this is the unpardonable sin.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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