Some thoughts on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Have I done it?
    I suspect just about every Christian has worried at least a little about Jesus words in Luke.12:10 “…everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”(see also Matthew 12:32 & Mark 3:29). This is so full-on, so final, so scary. And some people are brought to the point of thinking, “Have I committed this sin and so am I not a real Christian”, “Am I disqualified from heaven”, “Am I not really chosen by God”.
    Of course these questions arise because we’re unsure of what Jesus means and in particular how can Jesus distinguish between blasphemy against the Son of Man (himself), as being forgivable; but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as being unforgivable?
    Well, as I hinted at on Sunday night, if you worry about this issue, I suspect it’s a clear indication that you haven’t done it. Indeed to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will lead to you having no authentic interest in Jesus at all.

What’s the context?
    When Jesus mentions this issue it is always closely tied to his dealing with his religious opponents. In Matthew 12 and Mark 3 Jesus is being accused of sourcing his powers from Satan. That is, the religious leaders, in defiance and desperation at Jesus wonderful powers to heal and restore, attribute it to the devil. It is a terrible evil to deliberately call something that is so good to be bad; or to accuse the innocent and pure of being in collusion with the devil.
    In Luke, Jesus warns the religious leaders that they stand condemned for their failure to hear the prophets and for their hypocrisy. They of course retaliate and Jesus once again brings up this issue of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

Blaspheming Jesus Vs Blaspheming the Holy Spirit – what’s the go?
    Jesus makes a clear and deliberate distinction between blaspheming against him and blaspheming the Holy Spirit. And I think he does this because instant rejection of Jesus is not as significant as we might first think. Have not we all rejected Jesus in our past? Does not Peter reject Jesus and deny him three times? (Luke 22:65) Did not Paul reject Jesus to the point of killing Christians?
    The more important issue I believe Jesus is pointing to is continued rejection of him in defiance of what the Holy Spirit is revealing. And if we go into Acts we see examples of this very thing where rejection of Christ is solidified and unyielding. Acts 7:51,13:40-49 & 28:23-28 are all examples of hard-hearted Jews who have refused to listen to the Spirit’s teaching and revelation in the Scriptures about Jesus. They just will not soften their hearts to the Spirit’s Word of truth. This ongoing refusal means the door to forgiveness is closed because they have categorically denied the Spirit’s testimony to the one who brings forgiveness.

The vast extent of forgiveness
    What I find remarkable as I think about this issue is that even those who were involved in Jesus murder at the end of Luke’s gospel, are able to receive forgiveness and indeed do! It’s harder to find a more blasphemous event to have been involved in than the crucifixion of God’s own Son. And yet at Pentecost these men are forgiven and blessed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:36- 41).
    How amazing that those who killed Jesus are brought to eternal life by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit? They are moved and respond in trust to Jesus. Which means even the worst of sinners can be forgiven.
However, if you continue to discount any need for forgiveness, or so ridicule what the Scriptures are pointing to when the speak of Christ – what possibility is there of being forgiven? You have ruled out the one you need, and offended the one who reveals him.

The bottom line: Don’t continue to refuse the Spirit’s call for you to trust Jesus. Come and seek life and forgiveness in him…no-matter what you may have done in the past, (even if you have rejected Jesus) God will forgive all who come to Christ.