Ask the Pastor
Several passages in the New Testament mention sinning against the Holy Spirit, including: Matthew 12:31–32; Mark 3:28–29; Luke 12:10; Hebrews 6:4–6; 10:26–31; and 1 John 5:16. At first glance an unforgivable sin appears to contradict the fact that God can forgive all sins through the Jesus. We read about God’s forgiven throughout the entire Bible. One such passage is John 6:37 in which Jesus affirms, “whoever comes to me I certainly will not cast out.”
To understand sin against the Spirit, we should remember what we were taught about the Spirit. What is the work of the Spirit? According to the Small Catechism, the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.”
So to sin against, or blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to deny this work in yourself. Basically, it is to refuse the work of the Spirit in saving you through faith in Jesus Christ. It is no to faith, no to repentance, no to mercy, no to grace, no to God. To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to reject the forgiveness of God all the way to the end of one’s life.
It is not accidentally saying the wrong word and being cast to hell. Rather, it is a persistent and deliberate rejection of God’s good grace. It is a sin unto death.
In his comments on 1 John 5:16, Luther writes “The sin is not unpardonable because of its magnitude, — for the apostle, as we heard, has distinctly declared: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,“ — but because the person committing this sin rejects the only means by which he can be brought to repentance, faith, and steadfastness in faith.” (See Walther’s Law and Gospel, Thesis XXIV)
If you are anxious about the unforgivable sin, fear not, for your anxiety indicates the Holy Spirit is active in your life. Likewise, being concerned that you might be excluded from God’s mighty work also points that you truly believe in Jesus as the savior of the world.
If you are troubled by any sin, arrange to see me, Pastor, for personal confession and absolution so that you will not that ALL your sins are forgiven for Christ sake.. Either stop by the office while I am there or schedule a time. It is my divine call to pronounce the good news of Jesus Christ.