Opening Scripture (NLT): “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” (Romans 3:10-12, NLT)
The Good News of Grace: While all sin separates us from God, and none of us are righteous on our own, the Good News is that Christ’s sacrifice offers forgiveness for all sins—except one, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This blog explores the distinction between sin, repentance, and the unforgivable sin.
Purpose of the Blog: To emphasize that while some sins are more severe than others, all sins require repentance, and Christ’s grace can cover them—except the one unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
1. What Christ Has Done For Us
The Finished Work of Christ: Jesus came into the world to take our sins upon Himself and pay the price we could never pay. His death and resurrection completed the work of salvation.
Scripture (NLT): “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, NLT). Jesus didn’t come to demand works from us, but to give His life for us.
The Sacrifice That Covers All: Through His blood, Christ made the ultimate sacrifice that no good deed of ours could ever match. His grace covers our sins, offering forgiveness and salvation through faith.
2. The Unforgivable Sin: Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
What is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit? Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the deliberate and ongoing rejection of the Spirit’s testimony about Christ, a hard-hearted refusal to accept God’s grace. “Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10, NLT)
Why Is This Unforgivable? This sin is unforgivable because it represents a total rejection of the means of salvation itself. Without repentance and turning to Christ, there is no other way to be forgiven. It’s the refusal to acknowledge and accept the grace that is freely given.
3. Not All Sin Is Equally Damnable, But All Sin Is Harmful
Some Sins Have More Severe Consequences: While blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin, other sins like murder, adultery, and theft have severe consequences but can still be forgiven through repentance and faith in Christ.
Scripture (NLT): “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9, NLT). No matter how severe the sin, Christ’s grace is sufficient to forgive, as long as we repent and turn to Him.
All Sin Requires Repentance: Even though some sins are not unforgivable, all sin separates us from God and requires repentance. Without acknowledging our sin and seeking forgiveness, we remain separated from God.
4. The Good News: Forgiveness Through Christ’s Sacrifice
Christ’s Grace Covers All Sin (Except One): The Good News is that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to cover all sin—whether big or small—except the deliberate rejection of the Holy Spirit. If we turn to Christ in repentance, we will be forgiven.
Scripture (NLT): “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14, NLT). Christ’s work on the cross provides the only way to salvation, and through His grace, our sins are forgiven.
Conclusion:
Final Thought: While all sin is harmful and separates us from God, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the deliberate rejection of God’s Spirit—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The Good News is that through Christ, all other sins can be forgiven if we turn to Him in faith and repentance.
There is a part 2 conclusion to this article called Degrees of Sin Part 2 if you want to read further.