What to do with a questioner hung up on the unpardonable sin

‘ I have had a question form an enquirer who is desperately fearful that he has actually blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. I have had two further follow up questions now and the last question was this ‘ It’s just very confusing. I was always taught that if you were saved then you were going to heaven, no matter what. Then the bible talks about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and it won’t be forgiven. I really do appreciate your help I just can’t find peace. I’m so afraid ill go through my whole life thinking that I’m going to heaven and then get a rude awakening when I die. I have always questioned my salvation and now if I am truly not saved I feel like I can’t be.’ Now my response is that once saved, always saved – so you can NEVER have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit (1 John 5 v.18). I mentioned characters like Esau and Pharaoh as being likely people who did blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. However, I sense I am just going round and round in circles with the enquirer; I seem to feel I am just repeating myself but just rephrasing my answer ? What should I do ?

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Wendyl Leslie Question 360577: I know it is really long, but is this article Biblical? It just confused me because it contradicts everything I believe about salvation, but does so in a seemingly Biblical way.http://rcg.org/books/jwitus.html Profile: Female 18-30 North America
Hello and thank you for writing us! Yes, you’re right, that is a fairly lengthy article and most of what the author’s written is biblical. The author is obviously wanting to touch on all points about the difference between a “Christian” and a “non-Christian” in order to make his point. So, if you’re someone that’s recently been saved and have given your life over to Christ, some of the things he writes about can be a little confusing.
But not to worry: If you haven’t denied the workings and saving grace of our Lord and Savior, you haven’t committed the “unpardonable sin.”
Here’s the bottom-line when it comes to understanding what the unpardonable sin is all about. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies in unbelief. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The only condition in which someone would have no forgiveness is if he/she is not among the “whoever” that believes in Him. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). To reject the only means of salvation is to condemn oneself to an eternity in hell because to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable.

October 2 at 1:06pm · Unlike · 2
Wendyl Leslie Just to eliminate any potential confusion, the article referenced above, is the one that the questioner asked me to read.

October 2 at 1:15pm · Like
Gwen Sellers Hi Dean Revell. It might be time to just let the questioner know that you’re not sure how else to answer their question. You can provide them with what Wendyl has written, direct them to our articles on the unpardonable sin, and maybe just encourage them about ways to rest in the truth. Perhaps suggest they memorize some Scriptures that talk about us being secure in Christ or read some of our articles on the assurance of salvation. You might mention the concept of fear and how to be secure in Christ’s love so that we can overcome fear; or term it as how to experience peace since that is something they mentioned they can’t find. You might even venture into suggesting they meet with someone locally who can guide them in truth and support them with their doubts. It looks like this is not yet a frequent questioner, but I’m wondering if there might be some OCD issues going on.

October 2 at 1:23pm · Like · 2
Dean Revell It seems I am getting a lot of people who clearly are hurting for one reason or another. I dont in any way want to appear uncharitable – I often think that the best way to counsel is from experience. I have been following the Lord since 1985 and I am still learning ! I have never had an issue with the unforgiveable sin afer listening to a sermon by Pastor Don Fortner, who pastors Grace Baptist Church in Danville, KY. He sorted me out ! ( or rather the Lord used him to do so!)

October 2 at 1:33pm · Unlike · 4
Gwen Sellers I love that God continues to grow us and teach us. He is never uncharitable, but always gracious and eager to heal and guide us into truth. He loves me more deeply than I can imagine and is more patient with me than I realize. I’m glad He gives us others to help along the way.

October 2 at 1:38pm · Like · 2
Dean Revell amen ! I have just been reading the above article on the unpardonable sin by David Pack – not sure I agree with everything he says. I am totally convinced that characters by Esau, Pharaoh and the thief on the cross fell into this category, basically from the way they behaved towards God and His Laws. Every person, without Christ, is in a perilous position – but that doesn’t mean they have committed the unforgiveable sin – I love the verse in Romans 10 which says ‘For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He might have mercy on them.’ That gives us hope !

October 2 at 1:47pm · Like · 1
Lincoln Bostick Wendyl you are right. The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to basically convict a person of their sin, and that Jesus Christ is the one who died for their sin. To blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to reject His testimony of who Jesus Christ is and what He did on the cross. It’s to say that’s okay Holy Spirit I can work this out on my own.

October 2 at 3:27pm · Edited · Like · 3
Dean Revell Just like the people of Noah’s time………….He was building an Ark, He as preaching the gospel to those around and all they could do is mock and laugh at his message. Just like the people today. ‘For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. ‘ (1 Samuel 15 v.23)

October 2 at 5:05pm · Like · 2
Lea Ann Davis McCombs It helps to point out that the blasphemy he fears has not occurred because he fears it has. Those guilty of this kind of blasphemy never worry because they don’t care. That’s why it’s unforgivable. It’s never repented.

October 2 at 5:27pm · Like · 2
Michael Karpf I have a friend who has struggled with this. He thinks something he thought or said might make him guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. My understanding of the passage in Matthew is that the exact circumstances cannot be duplicated today. Also, I remind my friend that Christ’s death was the propitation for all our sins. His death covered all our sins. If not, then His death on the cross was meaningless. And also, I reminded my friend that we are saved by grace through faith, and not works. If there is something he can do to make him lose his salvation, then Christianity is nothing more than another salvation by works religion. Either you are trusting completely in the finished work of Christ, or you are not trusting in any of it. Romans 8 (the whole book actually) and Ephesians 1:3-14 are great verses on the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and our security in Christ.

October 2 at 6:06pm · Like · 2
Patrick Thompson Aloha Dean,
Wow, that is a rather tough question. It definitely seems like this particular person is not secure in his faith? a thought, for those who are worried about having committed “the unpardonable sin”, the fact that they still recognize the need to be forgiven and have the desire to turn from their sin is evidence that they have not committed the unpardonable sin. Anyone who is guilty of that sin would have no desire to be forgiven or to turn to God. Hopefully, this might help!

October 2 at 8:05pm · Like · 3
Alyson Dreyer If they are new Christians, remind them that demons are still whispering lies hoping to stunt their growth. Have them voice out loud that they are done believing that lie and will continue to trust Jesus Christ.

October 2 at 8:24pm · Like · 2
Ed Chait I have to agree with the questioner about the article. It contradicts some important Biblical truths. The author writes that baptism is a requirement for salvation, that if a person commits suicide they are going to hell, and basically that salvation is by works.

October 2 at 9:19pm