Our (almost) unforgivable sins?

Matters of Faith

By Dr. Bascom Ratliff, pastor

Beagle, Fontana and Parker United Methodist Churches

Matthew 12: 31-32. And so I (Jesus) tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Hebrews 10:26 – 29. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and a raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Today's message is inspired by a conversation I recently had with a colleague about unforgivable sins. My colleague was adamant that every sin will be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and that we have the assurance of Christ that forgiveness is available simply by asking. However, as the Hebrews’ passage suggests, we cannot expect forgiveness if we deliberately continue to sin and to reject God's grace and mercy. I think our rejection of God's grace and our continuing to sin is also a sin against the Holy Spirit. God’s expectation is that when we confess, we do so sincerely, with a commitment that we will rely on God's grace and love to help us stop sinning.   

God expects us to imitate Christ in our interactions and relationships with others. Part of this imitation of Christ requires a focus on Christ's message that we love God and others. Our love, which we receive from the Holy Spirit within us, replaces the laws and rules that holds us captive to sin. If our behavior, or actions, are motivated by love, we can be assured that we are doing God's will. When we confess our sins we also can be assured of God's promise of forgiveness.

In reconciling the passages from Matthew and Hebrews, I believe that the biblical message is quite clear. Our sins will be forgiven if we sincerely confess and seek mercy through the love of Jesus Christ. Simply saying the Lord's prayer, or asking for forgiveness, without sincerity, is not at all pleasing to God or in keeping with the words of Jesus.

Now, I want to be very clear on my message here. I absolutely believe that if we confess our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God will forgive our sins and provide us with all the treasures of the Holy Spirit and his heavenly kingdom. Also, we must leave our hearts open to the truth of God’s Holy Spirit and seek to love and care for others as God loves and cares for us. Confessing is not a single event. It is a sincere commitment to avoid sin and seek wholeness through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

If we take a look at our behavior and our relationship with God and others, we can easily ascertain where we stand in our relationship with God. If we pray regularly, ask forgiveness regularly, confess our shortcomings, and seek redemption through the blood of Christ, the warnings against blasphemy and the rules that hold others captive do not apply to us.

Our regularly seeking forgiveness and relying on God's mercy is a sure sign that the Spirit of God dwells within us and is influencing and guiding our behavior. Like many others, I believe the first step is to confess our sins and to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ. This gets us started. We get access to the Holy Spirit. From there we can continue on our journey with Jesus and celebrate the wonderful gifts of God. We are free from sin. We rid ourselves of any and all fear of condemnation or separation from God.

____________

We will have Sunday morning services during the month of October 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Beagle, Kansas United Methodist Church.

We will have Sunday morning services during the month November 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Fontana, Kansas United Methodist Church.

We serve communion on the first Sunday of each month.

All are welcome in God’s House.  Come and celebrate with us.

Bascom Ratliff  (913-710-5748)

Pastor: Parker/Beagle/Fontana

United Methodist Churches