What is the Unforgivable Sin or Unpardonable Sin?

Sooner or later, as you read the Bible, you will come across a passage where Jesus mentions a sin that “will never be forgiven” (Mark 3:29). Among Christians, this sin has three different names: the unpardonable sin, the unforgivable sin, and the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (each referring to the exact same sin). Blasphemy is defined as to dishonor or disrespect God. Examples of blasphemies include actions directed toward God such as lying to the Holy Spirit, accusing God of doing evil, cursing God, or even denying the good that we should attribute to Him. But doesn’t God forgive all sin for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? What does this unpardonable sin mean? Can a person be guilty of it today and be eternally lost with no hope?

The unpardonable or unforgivable sin is a deliberate and ongoing rejection of God in Christ by unbelievers. In the Bible (Matthew 12:22-24), we are told of unbelievers (the Pharisees) who refused to acknowledge God (the Holy Spirit) at work in Jesus and, instead, said it was the work of Satan. The Pharisees, having witnessed proof that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, claimed instead that He was possessed by the demon Beelzebub (also referred to as Satan). Mark 3:29-30 tells us that the Pharisees committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable/unforgivable sin) because they claimed that Jesus had an "evil spirit." In other words, they were unbelievers that looked Jesus straight in the face and rejected Him.

A person can still commit the unpardonable or unforgivable sin, but not in the same manner as the Pharisees. Remember that the Pharisees stood face-to-face with Jesus, while on earth, and made their accusation (which is an impossible occurrence today). But also keep in mind that the main problem of the Pharisees was the fact that they did not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are other ways to commit blasphemies against the Holy Spirit. One example of blasphemy, with regard to lying to the Holy Spirit, is found in Acts 5:1-10 where we are told of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit by withholding what they were supposed to give to the church. As a result of their lies, they were both struck dead. While these blasphemies are all serious, they are still forgivable. All one has to do is to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

There is no such thing as an unpardonable or unforgivable sin for a Christian. Jesus says in Mark 3:28-29 that ALL types of sin and blasphemies (other than against the Holy Spirit -- which is, again, to reject God) will be forgiven for those who ask. This means all past, present, and future sins are forgiven. So is there an unpardonable sin today? Yes, but only for those that reject God (unbelievers). For Christians there is no such thing as an unpardonable or unforgivable sin.