Bottom Line

Matthew 12:31-32 “And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the 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.”
 
THE central focus of Jesus’ constant exchanges with the Pharisees is the question, “Is Jesus from God or not?” The Pharisees readily rejected Jesus’ divine nature. Jesus condemned the blasphemy of their sin-limited thoughts.
   The word “blasphemy” comes from a Greek word meaning “to speak stupid things against”. We then understand Jesus to say, “every sin and stupid thing spoken will be forgiven men, but the stupid things spoken against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”
   How would you feel if someone told you that you are speaking stupid things? No wonder Jesus’ words enraged the Pharisees. He directly attacked their prideful knowledge! That’s hard for a learned men to hear. Of course, they also accused him of blasphemy. Their only response to truth was to respond with accusations.
   That’s our spiritual battle, isn’t it? We pridefully hold to our opinions, wondering if we can believe all Jesus teaches - the promises, the hope, the forgiveness, and even the love. We find it easier to trust worldly pleasures than to trust Jesus’ righteous truth. Jesus knew such things would happen, and he graciously says he will forgive those sins.
   But he does draw a bottom line. That line is the unforgivable sin blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. To say, “It’s stupid to believe the Spirit and the Son are of God.” will condemn one.
   True wisdom is to confess Christ as Lord. Pray to the Spirit to deliver Jesus’ promise to you: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
   Don’t let the world make you stupid. Allow the Spirit to make you wise.