Filter by Categories
What Is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeJesus Christ, in Matthew 12:31-32, delivers a grave warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, describing it as crossing an irreversible line. This unpardonable sin is not easily committed, requiring a person to have experienced spiritual enlightenment, tasted the heavenly gift, received God's Spirit, known the goodness of God's Word, and genuinely repented—attributes of being in Christ. Yet, if such a person falls away, repentance becomes impossible, as they re-crucify the Son of God and expose Him to shame and contempt by their conduct. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit intensifies opposition to God to a point where His works are deliberately despised and denigrated after receiving knowledge of the truth. It involves trampling the Creator underfoot and belittling the holy covenant of which He is the Mediator. Repentance becomes impossible as self-confidence hardens into an arrogant refusal to recognize God's preeminence, rendering the very idea of repentance ludicrous. By rejecting the Spirit of grace and the forgiveness it offers, the blasphemer has no means to atone for sins except with their own life. This condition may arise through deliberate choice, where resentment and bitterness poison the mind, overshadowing God and overthrowing inclination toward His will. Alternatively, it can develop through spiritual neglect, where God's truth slips away over time, replaced by the things of the world, leading to spiritual weakness where God's law and Christ's sacrifice lose relevance. Furthermore, Jesus' warning was evoked by the Pharisees attributing God's work through His Spirit to an unclean source. In principle, a similar error occurs if one refuses to acknowledge God's activity in others, misjudging and attributing His work in their lives—such as faith, overcoming, or good fruit—to something other than God. This risks casting aspersions on the priceless Sacrifice substituted for that person, declaring the holy covenant with them null and void, and insulting the Spirit of grace in their life. Such actions echo the grave misjudgment of the Pharisees, highlighting the danger of opposing the Spirit of God through words or deeds.
Jesus on the Holy Spirit
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus taught about the Holy Spirit's function to carry out God's work, including inspiring one to speak the words of God and to resist the power of Satan.
Grieving the Holy Spirit
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJust as our human spirit can be grieved, God is grieved by willful sinful behavior—sullying, suppressing, or stifling the Spirit that identifies us as His.
High Thoughts
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJudging the state of other peoples' conversion is a fast track to committing the unpardonable sin. God's thoughts and plans are far higher than ours.
Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsIt seems that some sins should be worse than others in God's eyes. Though all sin merits the death penalty, some sins carry greater consequences and penalties.
Sins in the Balance (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeForgiveness is not a feeling that washes over us, but a conscious choice. It does not mean that the offense will never come to mind, nor that all the pain vanishes.
Forgiveness and the Unpardonable Sin
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerForgiveness is difficult, but the willing failure to forgive, along with any other unrepented sin, has the potential of permanently separating us from God.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's grace supports and fulfills us, but it does not mean 'once saved,always saved.' It is possible to fall from grace, as Israel's experience demonstrates.
What Do You Mean . . . the Unpardonable Sin?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletCan a Christian commit a sin, and still be a Christian? Or would this be 'the unpardonable sin'? Or would it prove he never was a Christian?
Living By Faith and God's Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod gives grace from start to finish in a person's relationship with Him. It cannot be limited merely to justification and His forgiveness of our sins.
Living by Faith: God's Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Sometimes God's sense of justice seems unusual or strange to us, giving us many questions to ponder about fairness. Justice and fairness are not identical.
The Five Warnings of Hebrews
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe modern church stands in danger of allowing salvation to slip away. Hebrews gives warnings to help us turn our lives around so we do not fall short.
Jude and the Glorious Power of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerAttributing the messages of God's spokesmen as coming from Satan constitutes speaking evil of dignitaries. Jude emphasizes submission to divine authority.
Beware of Hypocrisy
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsIn the gospel accounts, the Pharisees receive the lion's share of Christ's correction for their blatant hypocrisy, and they have become a byword for it.
Hebrews (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.
Matthew (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus didn't break the Sabbath, but he did break extra-legal fanatical human custom applied to the Sabbath apart from God's Law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRighteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.