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.Thought I would offer this, since it comes up from time to time. This is not at all unique to me nor even an unusual understanding, and shared here because other understandings can be very stressful, and even if they were to be true, they would be of little or no use. Some wonder if they have committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The concern comes from this passage: 30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 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. There we see that there is a sin, a type pf blasphemy which will never be forgiven, a very sobering thought. It seems to me, that a look at the context of these verses, may help us to understand what is going on. 23 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 233 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul,the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” That name there (Beelzebul) comes from a transliteration of the Hebrew "Baal Zebub" or "Baʿal Zəvûv ", which occurs in 2 Kings, chapter 1. There he is referred to as the god of Ekron. Baal, meaning lord or god, and Zebub, meaning "of flies" or "of fliers". Common belief was that demons, and angels, had wings. The lord of the flying ones (demons) would of course, be Satan. The name Baal Zebub, is the name of a Philistine god. This is what is in the minds of Jesus' critics in verse 24. So, just before Jesus said that there is a sin which is not forgiven, we have the Pharisees saying that it is by the power of Satan, that Jesus was able to cast out demons. Since it was the power of God that Jesus did His miracles, these Pharisees were in essence, saying that the Holy Spirit was an unholy spirit, Satan himself. From this we see what is so blasphemous. Some will say, that the only unforgivable sin, is dying without having accepted Jesus as Lord. I understand their thinking, and certainly they are right that those who refuse God's grace, will not be forgiven, but I think their understanding is a bit off. Dying is not a sin, so dying without accepting Jesus, is not the unforgivable sin. The text says, all manners of sin, except one, will be forgiving. What is important, is that any sin, separates us from God, and we are destined for eternal separation from God, if our sins are not forgiven. So, looking back at the text again we see: every kind of sin can be forgiven, except one, blasphemy against the Spirit. It says nothing about dying, it does not even mention faith, though faith is missing from those who blaspheme. it simply says there is only one sin, a specific blasphemy, which will never be forgiven. So, while it is true that refusing Jesus all ones life is an eternal death sentence (in as much as all sinners are already headed for destruction apart from God's saving grace), repentance is possible the whole time until we run our to time, when life ends. It is remarkable, and reassuring even, that the test says that we can even speak against Jesus Himself, and still find forgiveness. The only unforgivable sin, according to Jesus, is to slander the Holy Spirit by equating Him with Satan. It seems likely, that we will never encounter a person who has committed the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. God has a habit of searing the conscience (the Bible often calls this a hardened heart) of those who steadfastly refuse to accept Him. When a person comes to us, and expresses that they think they might have committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, chances are great, that this has not happened. This person is still concerned about the things of God, and is acknowledging His existence. That is a form of faith, even if that faith is weak, and underdeveloped, under exercised. If God has abandoned them, they would likely have ceased to be concerned about God. To worry about being unforgiven, is to acknowledge God is real, and that sin is real, and that the solution to the eternal consequences of sin, if found in the forgiveness of God. A person seeking God, seeking to please God does so, because the Spirit of God is drawing that person. No one comes to God, that the Spirit has not drawn first. John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. I don't think that God is going to draw people to Himself, that He has no intention of forgiving, and the promise is that the one who comes to Him, He will raise up, on the last day. That promise does not have conditions or limitations. It is a sad thing, that some believers worry, are despndent, that they will be lost because they discovered this verse about unforgivable sin. If a person has truly come to God, they have been saved, and will not be lost - God does not take back, what He has given,and no one can snatch a beleiver out of His hands, God's grip if firm, no power in the universe, exceed His power, and His love is extreme towards those He treasures. 1 Cor 12:3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Daily Reading 68 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, or by whatever means and in whichever version you choose. Matthew 12:22-50 Leviticus 15-16 Proverbs 27 Audio 6:41 Audio 4:59 Audio 2:43 The above verse addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, and think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen