| THE THREE GREATEST SINS
Written by: De Haan, Richard Posted on: 05/12/2003
Category: Bible Studies
Source: CCN
THE THREE GREATEST SINS
BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
If you were asked to name the greatest sin in the world, what would it be--murder, adultery, robbery, homosexuality? Or would you cite some of the more common evils which work so much harm in society like gossip, envy, or greed? Perhaps you would not single out one particular sin as the very worst, for you are appalled at the numerous reprehensible acts and sordid deeds committed every day.
The Bible, however, does express itself on this subject. It states that three sins--blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the unpardonable sin, and the sin unto death--carry with them a note of finality and sure judgement that does not mark man's other transgressions. The first, the sin against the Holy Spirit, was a sin of Jesus' day. The unpardonable sin can be committed only by those who are not children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The sin unto death, on the other hand, involves only believers.
A careful study of what the Bible says about these three great transgressions will be of rich spiritual benefit. First, it will lead us into the Word of God. Secondly, it will constitute a warning to saint and sinner. Thirdly, many who are confused on the subject will receive great comfort when they realize that nothing they have ever done or said has placed them beyond the reach of God's mercy.
THE GRAVITY OF THIS SIN
The Lord Jesus clearly expressed the serious nature of sinning against the Holy Spirit when He said,
Wherefore, I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, neither in the age to come (Matthew 12:31,32).
Don't try to evade the obvious meaning of these words. Jesus declared that "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" would not be forgiven. The person guilty of this sin was doomed to be lost forever. He placed himself on the road to Hell, and for him there was no hope of forgiveness.
THE NATURE OF SIN
Since blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a sin of such magnitude, it is extremely important that we know exactly what it is. Everyone who possesses some knowledge of the Bible realizes that sins like theft, covetousness, envy, pride, gossip, dishonesty--yes, even murder, adultery, and fornication--are forgiven by God. Then, too, instructed believers know that a true follower of Christ could never be guilty of an unforgivable transgression. A child of God may grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, and he may fail to be fully yielded to Him, but it is absolutely impossible for him to do anything that cannot be forgiven.
What did the Lord Jesus mean when He spoke about the unforgivable blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Many different answers have been given by respected and esteemed theologians and Bible students. Some of the suggestions include (1) continued rejection of Christ, (2) apostasy in time of persecution, (3) a denial that Jesus Christ is God, (4) a rejection of the deity of the Holy Spirit, and (5) using the name of the Holy Spirit in vain. None of these suggestions, however, take sufficient note of the context or the occasion of Christ's words.
In Matthew 12:22 we read that the Lord Jesus had just performed a great miracle. He had cast out demons from a person who was both blind and dumb, and his sight and speech were immediately restored. This demonstration of power had a profound effect upon the people who witnessed it, for Matthew tells us they were "amazed, and said, Is not this (referring to Christ) the son of David? (Matthew 12:23). The way they framed the question indicates that they were inclined to believe He really was the son of David. The religious leaders were alarmed at this reaction, for they saw Christ as a threat to their power. Therefore they gave the blasphemous charge that Jesus cast out demons by "Beelzebub," and the Lord could not allow this accusation to go unanswered.
Wherefore, I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven men (Matthew 12:31).
J. R. Thompson comments as follows: "Great men are often misunderstood by reason of their very greatness. Aims higher than those of others need other methods than such as are commonly employed by ordinary persons. How much more this must have been the case with the Son of man! His mission was unique. He was altogether His own. He could not fulfill His ministry and do the work of Him who sent Him without stepping aside from the beaten tracks of conduct, and so courting criticism...He could not well conciliate public opinion, for He came to condemn and to revolutionize it. For the most part He went His way without noticing the misrepresentations and the calumnies of men. Yet there were occasions, like the present, when He paused to answer and to confute His adversaries." (The Pulpit Commentary-- Mark, p. 125).
The Pharisees' false accusation had to be answered, for they had deliberately equated the Holy Spirit with Satan. They had said that Jesus performed His mighty works through the power of the devil, when in reality He "cast out demons by the SPIRIT OF GOD" (Matthew 12:28). This grievous blasphemy was uttered in the face of definite evidence that Jesus Christ was in opposition to Satan, and that His mighty works were beneficial to men, not harmful. In this sense the sin cannot be committed today as it was by those religious leaders.
The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was both a national and individual sin. The leaders of the people, representing the nation, had seen Heaven's credentials to the Messiahship of the Lord Jesus, and had wickedly declared that they had their origin in Hell. This constituted a national rejection of Christ. Therefore the Lord, after issuing the solemn warning about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, declared that they were "an evil and adulterous generation," and that they would receive no sign from heaven other than His death, burial, and resurrection. (See Matthew 12:39,40.) He further stated,
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold a greater than Jonah is here (Matthew 12:41).
NATIONAL
The national character of this sin is also set forth in the parable of the unclean spirit. This spirit was cast out of a man, only to return with seven other more wicked than himself, making the "last state of that man...worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation" (Matthew 12:43-45). The people of Israel and experienced a "house cleaning" through the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist, but because they rejected the Messiah, their house had remained empty. Now, by deliberately ascribing the power of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the works of the Lord Jesus to Satan, that generation os Israelites brought itself into a far worse state than before John the Baptist. Judicial blindness came upon the nation as a whole, and by A.D. 70, within the lifespan of a single generation, the Jewish people had experienced the most fearful time in all their history. Although the generation to which our Lord spoke lost claim to God's national promises because of their blasphemy, individual Israelites could still be saved by trusting the Lord Jesus. Israel as a nation also will someday be converted and enjoy the blessing promised by Almighty God.
INDIVIDUAL
This blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was also an individual sin for which there was no forgiveness. Those people who deliberately, against better knowledge, declared that the works Jesus performed through the power of the Holy Spirit originated with Satan could not be forgiven.
...whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, neither in the age to come (Matthew 12:32).
One question remains to be answered. Why is it more serious to speak against the Holy Spirit than against the Son of man? Jesus said,
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, neither in the age to come (Matthew 12:32).
Since Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are both members of the Godhead, why should blasphemy against one be more serious than against the other? Is one member of the Trinity afforded more honor than another? Why is the distinction made between sinning against the Son of man and against the Holy Spirit? Both are co-equal and co-eternal with the father. The answer is found in recognizing that the Jewish leaders rejected the regal credentials and Messianic claim of the Lord because of ignorance. Though God held them responsible for seeking Christ's death, He knew they did not fully understand what they were doing. After the Holy Spirit had come on the day of Pentecost, Peter said, "I know that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers" (Acts 3:17). Paul expressed the same idea when he said, "Which none of the princes of this age knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8).
The religious leaders of that day were so blinded by prejudice and their own preconceived notions about the Messiah that they did not understand how the lowly Nazarene could be their promised King and Redeemer. but those individuals who brazenly said that the miracles of Jesus were the product of Satan, even though worked by the power of the Holy Spirit, were speaking against better knowledge, for it directly contradicted the evidence right before their eyes. It was obvious that Jesus was opposed to Satan, and that his works were destroying Satan's power. Their declaration that He did these mighty miracles through the power of Satan rather than the Spirit was a deliberate and inexcusable sin.
Remember, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be committed today in exactly the same manner as during Christ's public ministry. But this does not mean you cannot commit a sin that is unforgivable. You can harden yourself against the truth even as the religious leaders of Christ's day. If you continue to reject Christ until you leave this life, you will have lost all opportunity for redemption. You should be thankful that you are still alive, and that the door of salvation remains open for you. The message "whosoever will" (Revelation 22:17) is still a wonderful truth for your life. You can pass from spiritual death to life, from darkness to light, by believing on Jesus Christ. You will then know the joy and peace of forgiveness.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...(1 John 5:1).
Receive Him today!
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
HAve you ever wondered if any sin is so great that God would never forgive it? Is it possible to fall so deeply into certain practices or commit deeds so evil and perverse that you are beyond the limit of God's forgiving grace? The Bible tells us that in Jesus' day people could be guilty of an unpardonable sin. The Pharisees had accused the Lord of casting out demons by the power of Satan, and Jesus responded to their declaration by saying,
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme; But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation; Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit (Mark 3:28-30).
This sin is also spoken of in Matthew 12:22-32 and Luke 12:8-10. When the average person thinks of the unpardonable sin, he usually names one of the more base and sordid evils like sexual perversion, murder, family desertion, drunkenness, drug addiction, or gambling. Instead, this unforgivable sin was the deliberate declaration that Jesus worked miracles by the power of Satan, when in reality He performed them "by the Spirit of God," Matthew (12:28). This blasphemy was committed willfully by the religionists against evidence that could not be contradicted.
Dr. H. D. Spence says it was "that determined hatred of holiness, that awful love of self, which...induced the Pharisee leaders to ascribe His...loving works to the spirit of evil and of darkness. The accusation was no chance one, the fruit of impulse or of passion. They who accused Him knew better. They had heard Him teach, not once, but often; they had seen His works; and yet--though they knew that the whole life, thoughts, and aspirations were true, and were conscious that every word and work was holy, just, and pure--in order to accomplish their own selfish ends, simply because they felt His life and teaching would interfere with them, they dared to ascribe to the devil what their own hearts told them came directly from God." The Pulpit Commentary: Luke, p. 333. Their rejection of Jesus Christ as the true Messiah was at least partly due to the ignorance brought on by their religious traditions. But this declaration, that the works He did were brought about by the power of Satan, was completely inexcusable.
Can this offence be committed today? No! Not at all! It could only occur while Christ was on earth and in actual physical contact with men. Those who were guilty of it had heard with their own ears His words of wisdom, and had witnessed with their own eyes His mighty works. When they, having been blessed with this incontestable evidence, deliberately and willfully ascribed the works of the Lord Jesus to Satan, they were guilty of a sin which no one today can commit in exactly the same manner.
TROUBLING SIN
In spite of all this, however, I can well imagine someone saying, "But I think I have committed this sin. It troubles me, and I worry about it night and day. How can I find peace of mind? How can I know for sure that I am not guilty of the unpardonable sin?" Well, apart from the reasons I have already given, I would like to point out that the very fact you are anxious about it is absolute proof that you have not committed it.
Some time ago I read about a certain person who foolishly came to the conclusion that he had committed this great transgression. He believed he had passed beyond the point of forgiveness. He went to his pastor and sought for some assurance that he might be mistaken. Unburdening his heart to the minister, he told him about his morbid fear that he had "crossed the line" and had committed the sin for which there is no forgiveness. The pastor responded by asking, "And just exactly what sin did you commit?" The troubled soul quickly answered, "I opposed the Word of God." "So did Paul," the pastor replied, "and he was saved." "Oh, but, I also denied Christ," the man blurted out. "So did Peter," said the minister, "and he became one of the greatest and most effective preachers of all time." "Yes, but I doubted the power of Christ even after I received strong evidence in His favor." "But," said the wise pastor, "so did Thomas. Wasn't he forgiven?" The man who had been tormented so long by fears and doubts finally saw the folly of his anxiety, and realized that this thing he dreaded was a misunderstanding of Scripture. He saw that even if such a hopeless state were possible in this age, the very fact that he was so concerned about his spiritual condition proved that he could not have committed this great transgression. No, the "sin against the Holy Spirit" cannot be committed today.
FORGIVENESS--A POSITIVE TRUTH
Therefore, rather than emphasizing the "unforgivable sin" in the passage we have been studying, I would rather see the spotlight focused upon the blessed words found in verse 28, which underscore the wonderful and precious truth of free and gracious forgiveness. Jesus said,
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme (Mark 3:28).
That's the message we preach today--"all sins shall be forgiven unto men." Whoever you are, no matter how far you have fallen into sin, whatever it may be, whom it involves, where it was done, or how badly you feel, ALL SINS SHALL BE FORGIVEN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN. You may be bound by lust or chained by habits, or you may be one of the so-called "nicer" people who engage in the more "polite sins" of society, but you are a sinner just the same, for the Bible says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It makes no difference how you categorize yourself, for "all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men."
Do you remember the time when the scribes and Pharisees brought an adulterous woman to the Savior? They made the charge,
...Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou? (John 8:4,5).
When they made this hypocritical accusation, the Lord Jesus, ignoring their question, stooped down and wrote with His finger on the ground. They kept pressing for an answer, however, until the Savior stood up, looked at them, and threw out the challenge, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). He stooped down and again wrote on the sand, and one by one the accusers of the adulteress slipped away, convicted by their own consciences. Jesus was finally left alone with the repentant woman. Looking at her, the Savior asked the question, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord..." (John 8:10,11). Now listed to Jesus' wonderful proclamation of grace and forgiveness. He said to that shameful and guilty outcast of society, "Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). I am happy to declare that this very same forgiveness and freedom from judgment is given to all who admit their guilt and place their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. The Word of God assures us, "There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1). No matter how deeply you have sinned, God extends to you the gracious offer of complete forgiveness of sins. He says 'All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men.'
The Bible scholar Ryle comments on Mark 3:22-30 as follows: "We ought to notice...what a glorious declaration our Lord makes in these verses about the forgiveness of sins. He says "All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme." These words fall lightly on the ears of many persons, who see no particular beauty in them. But to the man who is alive to his own sinfulness and deeply sensitive to his need for mercy, these words are sweet and precious. "All sins shall be forgiven". The sins of youth and age--the sins of head, and hand, and tongue, and imagination--the sins against all God's commandments--the sins of persecutors, like Paul--the sins of idolaters, like Manasseh--the sins of open enemies of Christ, like the Jews who crucified Him--the sins of backsliders from Christ, like Peter--all, all may be forgiven. The blood of Christ can cleanse all away. The righteousness of Christ can cover all, and hide all from God's eyes. The doctrine here laid down is the crows and glory of the Gospel. The very first thing it proposes to man is free pardon, full forgiveness, complete remission, without money and without price. 'Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all thing' (Acts 13:38)." Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, p. 55.
CONTINUED REJECTION IS UNPARDONABLE
In the final analysis, the only thing that will keep you from God and knowing His full pardon and forgiveness is continued unbelief! Therefore, though you cannot today be guilty of "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit," you can commit an unpardonable sin by persisting in unbelief. Although the expression, "the unpardonable sin" is not found in the Bible, I believe we are justified in using this term because it expresses the Scriptural teaching that there is danger in delay. If you persist in unbelief, your spiritual sensitivity will become deadened. The longer you postpone, the less likely your ultimate salvation. Though it is true, "while the candle holds to burn, the vilest sinner may return," the person who continues to resist the gracious working of the Holy Spirit may well bring himself into the state of complete indifference. If he dies in this condition, he will go into eternity as a lost sinner.
Unsaved friend, the SIN question has been settled. You are now faced with the SON question. All your sins can be forgiven if you will believe in God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that God loved the world so much He provided a way to escape the penalty of sin. He who is God became man to be our substitute in human flesh.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was god. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...(John 1:1,14).
the Lord Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live and went to the cross to die the death we deserved. That's why 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares that God "made him (Christ)...to be sin for us." The Lord Jesus arose from the grave, and His resurrection was proof that the sacrifice He offered was acceptable to God as a full payment for all sin. Salvation, which includes everlasting life, forgiveness, peace with God, and an eternity in Heaven, is now offered as a free gift to all who will believe. I am thankful that the door of redemption remains open, and that you can still receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, it's not too late for you. Acknowledge your sinful condition before God, and in simple faith receive the Lord Jesus for salvation. Trust Him, and Him alone, to save you. The Bible says:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9,10).
THE SIN UNTO DEATH
Many people have been amused and entertained by the popular "happiness is" one-liners. I am thinking especially of those made famous by the "Peanuts" characters created by Charles Schulz. Here are a few examples:
"Happiness," according to Linus, "is a thumb and a blanket." Lucy says, "Happiness is a warm puppy." Linus thinks "happiness is finally getting the silver out," or "the hiccups after they've gone away." Snoopy sees happiness as "walking on the grass in your bare feet."
Many others might be added. Everyone seems to have his own favorite. In fact, the book from which I've quoted these ends with: "Happiness is different things to different people."
These little sayings are entertaining, but their intention is not to set forth the deep and meaningful essence of genuine, lasting happiness. For this you must turn to the Bible, the book from which the whole "happiness is" idea originated.
In the well-known sermon on the mount, for example, the Lord Jesus makes many statements regarding happiness. The word "blessed", which begins each of the beatitudes, means "happy", so they could be translated as follows:
Happiness is being meek. (Happy) are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
Happiness is seeking righteousness. (Happy) are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
Happiness is being merciful. (Happy) are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7).
Happiness is being pure in heart. (Happy) are the pure in heart; for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
Happiness is being a peacemaker. (Happy) are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the sons of God (Matthew 5:9).
But perhaps the most comprehensive Scriptural one-liner describing happiness is this statement by the psalmist:
Happiness is doing the will of God. (Happy) is every one that feareth the Lord, that walketh in his ways (Psalm 128:1).
This verse says plainly that the way to happiness is to respect God and obey Him. Conversely, sadness is the state of disobedience to God. Since happiness is obeying God, then sadness must be disobeying Him.
One of the most unhappy of all situations for the Christian is to be guilty of the "sin unto death". You will recall from our previous studies of The Three Greatest Sins that "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" and the "unpardonable sin" cannot be committed by a believer. The first of these sins was a transgression that could be committed only by those who lived when Jesus walked upon the earth, and therefore it does not exist today. The "unpardonable sin" is restricted to those who have not received the Lord JEsus Christ as Savior. The sin unto death, however, is of a different nature. The apostle John says this about it:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If 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 (1 John 5:14-17).
Now, just what is this transgression called "a sin unto death"?
A SIN OF THE SAINTS
The sin unto death is first of all a sin of the saints. John says, "If any man see his brother sin a sin". The person involved is a brother in Christ and therefore a Christian.
PHYSICAL DEATH
Secondly, the consequence of this sin is physical death. Dr. A. C. Gaebelein commented on this passage of Scripture, saying, "The brother is a believer. On account of sinning he is chastened. God permits sickness to come upon him and the sinning not having been unto death (physical death only) he is raised up. However, a believer may go on willfully sinning and remain there dishonoring Christ. He is to be taken away out of the land of the living, cut off by death. No request could be made for such of one. The question of death is not eternal condemnation but only physical death." The Gospel of Matthew, pp. 251,252.
A STATE OR HABIT
Thirdly, the sin unto death is not one single act of transgression, but a state or habit of sin which a person has willfully chosen and in which he continues. Someone has said it is "constant and consummate opposition to God."
INDIVIDUAL
A fourth characteristic of the sin unto death is that it is individual in nature. The same sin that is "mortal" for one does not bring physical death upon another. You see, we tent to categorize certain sins and rate them as bad, very bad, and extremely bad, but God sees them differently.
...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
He knows our background, heredity, environment, the battles we face, and the spiritual light we have received. For that reason, while some sins for certain individuals might bring the most severe judgment, these identical practices in the lives of others, even though sorely displeasing to God, may not bring forth the same judgment.
WILLFUL AND DELIBERATE
The sin unto death is not only continual, it is willful and deliberate. It is also, very likely, an open sin that brings reproach upon the cause of Christ. Therefore, for the sake of the Gospel, and in order that the "spirit" of the one sinning may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:5), God takes the guilty one to Heaven by His chastening hand. But he must still someday stand before the judgement seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10,11).
TEACHING OF THE EPISTLES
The apostle Paul also refers to the same sin, though not specifically calling it "the sin unto death". In 1 Corinthians 11 he said that unjudged sin in the lives of certain Christians had resulted in physical ailments for some and death for others. He therefore admonished Corinthian believers to diligent self-examination and confession of sin before partaking of the Lord's supper.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:28-32).
Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 gives additional information about the "sin unto death".
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my sp
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