hi jim i was reading your article on blasphemy of the holy spirit (mark 3) but i still have some questions: "It would be one thing if Jesus told the 'publicans and sinners' of a specific sin that would not be forgiven..." But who was Jesus talking to when he warned of the blasphemy of the holy spirit in Luke's account? He was talking to his disciples...scary. "You see, when Jesus hung on that cross to die HE became removed from the sin through death. When he rose from the dead, it was as the NEW CREATION..." But didn't Jesus say that those who committed this 'unforgivable sin' would never be forgiven in "this age & the age to come"? "I think you have sensed this for a long time but have assumed your objections could not be valid." This sounds interesting, can you explain more to me? Are you suggesting that God in us is the reason why we can't rest in all the religious b.s. that people throw at us? Also, the reason I'm so interested in this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was cuz I've verbally blasphemed the Holy Spirit of Christianity on many occasions, including during a drunken fit last night...you can say I've been pretty depressed lately, which is why I've been drinking. J.

Hello my friend J.,

It's always good to hear from you. I feel for you in your depression, it is a horrendous experience. I used to suffer from depression quite heavily when I was young. I think it started when I was in my teens and continued on until my very early 20's. Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't experienced slight feelings of depression since then, but such bouts are only faint memories of a very tortuous time. Now, to your questions ...

But who was Jesus talking to when he warned of the blasphemy of the holy spirit in Luke's account? He was talking to his disciples...scary. J.

Sure, Jesus may have been talking to his disciples, but what was he linking his comment about this blasphemy to?

Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"-- because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit." Mark 3:28-30

What he said was in direct relation to what the religious leaders had said about the spirit within him.

But didn't Jesus say that those who committed this 'unforgivable sin' would never be forgiven in "this age & the age to come"? J.

Indeed he did ... and this is good news. Why? Because this is the mind of the old creation. Jesus destroyed the old Adam, he put it to an end in himself. To be in Christ is to have the old totally done away. We are not what we were. We are not who we were. We are something altogether new.

This sounds interesting, can you explain more to me? Are you suggesting that God in us is the reason why we can't rest in all the religious b.s. that people throw at us? J.

I don't know that you need anymore explanation, for as you sense ... He is the ONLY reason. :)

Also, the reason I'm so interested in this blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was cuz I've verbally blasphemed the Holy Spirit of Christianity on many occasions, including during a drunken fit last night...you can say I've been pretty depressed lately, which is why I've been drinking. J.

Blasphemy against "the Holy Spirit of Christianity"? Sounds rather impersonal and lacking any real connection to the life of Christ, don't you think? :) You might suppose it's just a fluke I'm reading into your wording, but I think the whole rationale shows a fall back to past religious perceptions that you believe you must fit yourself into. The "Holy Spirit" is the same Spirit that is now your life ... not some entity that exists as part of a religion.

Jim :)

what if you blasphem agaisnt the holy spirit but didnt mean to and want to get save and go to heaven...........will jesus accept me? Jay (posted: Jan-07-08)

Jay, my friend, that which is impossible with men is totally possible with God, for in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. Jesus Christ is the miracle of God through whom he holds nothing against you! Nothing. Zip. Nada. Nothing. So, what is it that you think God might still hold against you?

Jim

Thank you for this discussion. I needed to read this!! Jay, before I got saved I did awful things. Jesus said, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Realizing I was a sinner in need of Jesus's help was very important. anonymous (Posted: May-03-08)