Forgiveness in Christianity: Sin, Repentance, and the Unforgivable Sin (By Jack McGuane)

Arguably one of the most core beliefs in the Christian faith, forgiveness is central to one’s relationship with God. According to Christian doctrine, everyone must seek forgiveness in God because the only sinless person in history is Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle stated that Jesus Christ “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21), and according to Pontius Pilate, the governor of the Roman province of Judaea who organized Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). For the rest of humankind, sin is and has been inevitable. The Bible reads, regarding Christians, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). John the Apostle goes further, stating that “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). We are all sinners, so how are there people in Heaven? Christians believe that when we seek forgiveness and admit to our sins, we are granted vindication because God is all-forgiving, loving, and compassionate.

Christians cannot sin and always expect forgiveness, however. Individuals should not live our lives under the mentality of “act first, seek forgiveness later.” To Christians, our actions are not about what we want to do; they are about what God wants us to do. Preferably, those result in the same outcome; what we want to do, ideally, is what God wants us to do. If we can live this way, we can lead more fulfilling, God-honoring lives and be more content with ourselves… yet we will still be sinful. Even when we don’t intentionally sin or “seek forgiveness later,” we are still sinners, and we must reconcile with God.

Can all sins be forgiven, however? Is there anything in the Christian faith that is inexcusable and irreversible by the Lord? The Bible states,

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but 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.” (Matthew 12:31-32)

To deliberately ignore the power of the Holy Spirit, to eradicate its existence in one's mind, body, and soul, is unforgivable. In the Christian faith, the Holy Spirit is always with you, it is inside of you; it is God’s presence on Earth. To deny that fact is to deny the Holy Trinity, therefore denying God and Jesus Christ as well. Indeed, Christians believe that sin is an inherent part of our existence. It is nearly impossible to avoid sin, but Christians must not commit the sin of blasphemy. Christians are fortunate to have a just and merciful Lord, one who gives second, third, and infinite chances to His children, as long as they believe in His presence.