Anything is forgivable except . . .

Jesus spoke of a sin that could not be forgiven. Theologians debate the identity of this sin, maybe because the simple answer is too simple? It can be found in this passage:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:17–21)

Those who refuse the Son of God after being given all they need to know about who He is and His offer of salvation are unforgivable — unless of course their minds are changed and they decide light is better than darkness. God will forgive their unbelief as soon as it is confessed as sin, but while it remains, their sin of unbelief in the face of knowing the truth is unforgivable.

Tozer says that anyone concerned about having committed the unpardonable sin may be sure he or she has not! Consider the opposite, those Pharisees who believed themselves to be righteous. They felt no need for repentance, no sorrow for sin, no guilt for unbelief. They had seen Jesus in action doing what only God can do and still said NO. They were in a state of unforgiveness.

My prayer list has many names of those who do not believe in Jesus. Some of them seem clueless about sin and their need for salvation. Some know the Gospel but insist, “don’t need that.” Not everyone is at the same place, but what can God do with people who know He exists, know that they are sinful, know that Jesus offers salvation, yet they refuse to accept it? they love darkness and are in that place of rejecting the Lord. They might change their minds if certain things happen to persuade them, but only God knows what that would require.

I’m convinced that salvation by grace happens when people hear the Gospel and are granted faith to believe it because the Spirit of God puts in them His new life. This happens in an instant and is totally a work of God. No one earns or deserves it. Grace is freely bestowed, and how God does it and even who He chooses to bless with it is a mystery. None of us deserve it and all of us are oblivious to our need until He opens our eyes. To me, it is also a mystery why anyone would say NO to God’s grace.

This means two practical things. One is to pray to God for people by name. Only He can give them new life. Prayer is part of the battle for that to happen.

The other is to share the gospel whenever I can — because faith comes by hearing. That new life is a gift received through hearing God speak. He might use the mouths or pens of His servants. He can also use the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Whatever He uses, those who love their sin and plug their ears are already condemned.

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Lord Jesus, because of Your great grace, You forgive all sin, except that sin of rejecting this good news, of saying no to the gift. Yet also, because of Your great grace, You are able to overcome all resistance and bring sinners to the foot of the Cross and out of that dangerous place. You are amazing!

Bad news and God’s comfort

Some people call the Christian hope of heaven ‘pie in the sky’ and make fun of those who trust God for a glorious eternity. I understand that thinking, especially on those days when bad news makes heaven extremely appealing. Yet the hope of full redemption is not based on mere hope-so hope. It is grounded in the promises of God.

Two days this week brought four dire situations — bad news and tears, and for the most part no relief. They are what they are. I look to the Lord for answers, comfort, a Listener for the sorrow I feel.

This morning, God gives me a little piece of pie. That is, He comforts me with the promise of full resolution. Sin and its consequences will be no more, yet as the Bible says, we groan for it to happen . . .

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:18–23)

This old world is in bondage to corruption. Our bad news involves mental illness, broken bones, dreadful abuse and a murder-suicide. Most stem from the sinful condition of humanity. I groan, but I also pray. God is not limited by my short-sightedness nor did any of these things catch Him off guard. Further, He is not limited by hopelessness or the distress of people, His own children or otherwise. Nothing is too hard for God.

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Lord Jesus, for me grant the grace to trust You and keep trusting You, not only for the next life, but for this one, and for the wisdom, grace and compassion needed regarding this week’s bad news. Reading stuff like this in the daily paper or hearing in on television is bad enough; having it happen in our backyard to family and friends is indeed a suffering. You will eventually wipe away all sorrow and tears. For now, I’m so glad to know You and rely on You. Pie is okay, but Your promises are my deepest security. As Tozer says, Your richest blessings often require sacrifice, suffering, conflict, and patient waiting, but the blessing grows with the delay and Your compound interest increases as we endure.

The best education

People without a formal degree often say they went to the school of experience, or the school of hard knocks to justify their lack of ‘higher’ education. I’ve a Master of Arts degree in “Biblical and Theological Studies” but must admit that I have learned far more in that school of experience and hard knocks.

It is not just me; all Christians are in training. God accepts and loves His people as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. He wants to transform our lives. However, in His training, the classroom does not consist of desks and a professor. Marks are not earned for the facts we know or our doctrinal knowledge. Graduation is not a piece of paper either.

The scope of His education to build our godliness could be summed up in these verses:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

Maturity is God’s goal and life is the classroom. Trials are both the means of learning and the exams. Marks are given for bearing up under those trials in cheerfulness and hope. Passing or graduation comes when that endurance becomes part of who we are — to the glory of God.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:12–16)

Marks of advancement in God’s school are given for how I relate to other believers and that all of us are growing together. In other words, God’s education is not a solitary venture. He teaches and tests us . . .

“. . . until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

Being like Jesus is the ultimate goal for all His disciples. This amazing hope keeps me going in the school of life, even though some of the lessons involve hard knocks and difficult tests. That goal is the promise of God . . .

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

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Jesus, Your Word says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13) These blessings come through errors, humiliations, false starts, trying and failing. Yet in You, these trials have great worth for they are Your means to help me reach that goal. You give wisdom and understanding, steadfastness in faith, and perseverance so I can joyfully move toward it. I’m always amazed that one day I will be like You. Thank You for bringing me this far and thank You for Your smile that sustains me as I learn.