The Sin Unto Death

Humans received a conscience as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden.  Unfortunately, even that conscience has gotten perverted as a result of sin, according to Titus 1:15.  “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”  As a result, our ideas of right and wrong have become distorted.  For example, in our present political system, If one party says it, it is a horrible lie, but if the other says it is treated as unimportant.   We do the same things with other sins, accepting some as unimportant, while others are viewed as very important.  Historically, the Catholic church and some protestant churches classified sins as either mortal sins such as suicide, which could not be forgiven, or venial sins such as getting drunk, which could be forgiven just by an act of penance.   Which sins are considered unforgiveable varies with the particular religious group. 

I John 5:16-17 tells us, “f any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”    Clearly, there is some distinction between which sins can be forgiven and which cannot.  John says we don’t need to pray for those who have committed that unpardonable sin, that sin unto death.  So what is that unpardonable sin? 

Mark describes the scribes and Pharisees accusing Jesus of casting out demons through satanic power.  Mark 3:28-30 records Jesus’ response.  “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.”  The modern English word for blaspheme is slander.  Luke 4:1 tells us Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit.  They were effectively slandering the Holy Spirit by claiming that the things he was doing were by Satan’s power rather than God’s, and unless they changed their attitude, would face God’s judgment.   Luke 12:10 confirms the record, telling us, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.” 

In blaspheming the Holy Spirit, people blaspheme the very nature of God.  Psalm 5:4 describes his nature.  “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.”  When we become Christians, we receive a new nature, which is similar to that of God, according to Ephesians 4:24.  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  As a result, III John 1:11 tells us, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

When Jesus sent out his disciples, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, Just as Jesus was.  He gave them specific instructions as to how they were to react if people refused to accept the Holy Spirit’s message, as Mark 6:11 describes.   “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”  The same instructions are repeated in both Matthew and Luke. 

There comes a point where people reject God so completely there is no longer hope of changing their minds, and God no longer works to change them as Romans 1:28-32 tells us.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” 

These are people who have heard and understand God’s laws and still refuse to pay attention.  Hebrews 6:4-6 tells us, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”  They have been close enough to see God’s power and love, yet reject it as not good enough for them.  As I John 5:15-17 tells us thare is a sin unto death, and we are not keep praying for or trying to reach those who have turned away from God so determinedly. 

In I Samuel, 15:26, Saul had deliberately disobeyed God’s command and refused to repent, although he still wanted Samuel’s approval.  “And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.”    Though Samuel could not place his approval on what Saul had done, He continued to pray for him and hope he would change, as I Samuel 15:35-16:1 describes.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.  And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

God told Samuel not to waste more time on Saul because he was not about to change.  Instead he was to reach out to others who would receive his message.  When we see someone who claims to be a Christian who absolutely refuses to accept God’s word, we should not continue to waste our efforts on them.  Titus 3:10-11 commands, “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”  By refusing to accept the Holy Spirit’s teachings in the Word of God, the person has blasphemed him, effectively calling him a liar.