In short, yes!

If this is a big concern of yours, don’t feel alone — there’s a lot of people who feel the same way. And in fact, it appears to be a feeling that even ancient people in the first days of Christianity struggled with Listen to what Paul tells a young evangelist...

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:12-16, NAS95.

Why would Paul write such a thing, unless he wanted to give young Timothy a strong answer of reassurance to people he was teaching? Every sin is forgivable, everyone is forgivable! But it also is important to understand that forgiveness is always based on faith in Jesus and repentance (the willingness to turn away from sin), and this is really the basis of the "unforgivable sin". That people worry about so much. Jesus said that the unforgivable sin is…

"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven." Matthew 12:31, NAS95.

Blasphemy or rejection of the Holy Spirit includes part of His ministry to convict men of sin, causing them to repent.

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 'And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;'" John 16:7-9, NAS95.

It really only makes sense — doesn’t it — that God would be unwilling to forgive offenses to Him that we have no intention of changing, that we are making no effort to turn from, that we bear no regret about.

 

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