Mar 6 - "Unforgivable?"

Mark 3:28-29 -- “(Jesus said) ‘Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.’ "

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Is there really an unforgivable sin?

This past Sunday night at the dinner table, our family got into a conversation about why some people use God as their justification to propagate a message of hate. Our two oldest daughters had just come back from a great weekend with their church youth group at the Waycross camp and retreat center in southern Indiana. One of their memories was of a discussion the youth had around hate. During one part of the weekend, they talked about a picture of people at a protest, where a 5-year old boy was holding a sign with the words “God hates fags”. It is hard for me even to write those words because of their horrible and revolting message. We all know, God does not hate anyone.

The conversation was focused on Maddy and Rachel asking, “Why would someone say this?”, “Where are they getting this idea?” and “How can someone behave this way?”. The key thing I was so impressed with was the realization both of them had related to the sadness they felt for this young boy and how he was being used as a tool of lies, being raised to learn that spewing messages of hate was an acceptable way of life.

The answer to our daughters’ question of where this idea comes from? The Bible, of course.

As you are probably aware, there are multiple references in Scripture to the idea that homosexuality is a sin, an abomination and is forbidden. If we are to believe that the Bible is the Word of God and that all things are to be followed specifically, then we can see how people can easily take these messages and state them as fact.

I do believe that the Bible is the Word of God. However, I believe it is not the letters on the pages, the words spoken by priests, pastors and prophets that is the Word of God. These words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, but written by the hands of imperfect men, become the Word of God when we read, inwardly digest and are given the gift of the inspiration The Word can bring. The Word is a living thing.

There are many concepts and “rules” in the Bible that we as modern Christians have made the decision to move forward from. Among other things, Paul wrote that women should not speak in church and he condoned slavery. There are, of course, people who believe we should still adhere to both of these tenets, but overall, Christianity has set these aside. Homosexuality is one of the most controversial topics in the Church today. It is literally tearing apart the Anglican/Episcopal Church, splitting the Body of Christ in a way which may not soon or ever be repaired.

Well, back to my question. Is there an unforgivable sin? The words in today’s reading come straight from Jesus. Am I not to believe them? Over the years, I have thought a lot about this concept. The perennial question, “Is Adolph Hitler in Heaven or in Hell?” comes to mind. Is it possible that over the course of our lives, we can actually do, say or believe something that will keep us away from an eternal life with God? I don’t know why I believe what I am about to write, because it almost goes against what my Lord and Savior said, but I believe we all go to heaven. No matter what, there is nothing we can do to permanently separate us from God. His power to forgive us, even if we profess to not want or need His forgiveness, is greater than our power to deny it. Through our whole earthly lives we will sin, we will hate, we will persecute and we will destroy. We may even blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (some would say I am doing that today in these very words I write).

But I have to believe, that when standing before Christ after we have taken our last breath, no matter what we have done in our lives, Jesus stands there with open arms, welcoming us in. We will look upon Him, seeing His wounds, and our soul will know that we were wrong, and with tears pouring forth, we will accept Him. The gift of His Love and Sacrifice will be overwhelming, compelling us to believe.

Even the person who made the sign and forced the little boy to hold it, will be standing there with us, no longer sinning, no longer hating, no longer persecuting, no longer destroying.

So, on this day to each of you, I bring more questions than answers. Fortunately, you do not have to rely on me, an imperfect man, for guidance. I encourage each of you to ask yourself the question brought forth in today’s reading. Pray on it. Read the words of the Bible and allow them to become the Word of God. I pray that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will bring discernment and clarity to you on the questions you have, and I will be praying the same for myself.