When Peter asked Jesus if forgiving another person “seven times” was sufficient, he responded with “seventy times seven” (Matt 18:22). The prodigal son (Luke 15) illustrates just how forgiving God is toward us wayward sons and daughters. Throughout the Old Testament, we hear of God being “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6, Ps 86:15, etc.) to which “forgiving iniquity and transgression” is often added (Num 14:18). Our God is a forgiving God. So, I have always found it unsettling when in Mark 3:28-29 Jesus talks about how blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the one “unforgivable sin,” to which Matt 12:31-32 adds “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” I don’t know about you, but this gives me the willies! What in the world does it mean to “speak against the Holy Spirit”? And could a simple slip of the tongue cost me eternal life with God? Join us this Sunday as we explore “The Unforgivable Sin.”
Mark 3:28-29: “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”