Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Robbinson]

so if someone blasphemed the Holy Spirit, they can never be saved?

and what is an example of that? is it taking God's name in vain? i have never understood that scripture.

Matt 12:31-32
"31.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."

This is God's word, and so we know it to be true. That being said, I think its quite difficult to actually engage in this sin. I believe that Satin and all of the fallen angels have engaged in this sin - the knowing and intentional blaspehmy of the Holy Spirit. I think this is more than taking God's name in vein. I believe its a knowing and intentional rejection of the Holy Spirit - and since we, humankind, are not really capable of knowing the Holy Spirit until it touches us, and then, I believe it is difficult (some would say impossible) to resist, this should be close to an empty set. (This gets into debate over we who are touched by the Holy Spirit (drawn to Christ) are actually capable of resisting (choosing God) or not capable (irresistable grace)). That is another debate but I would point to this verse as one that, perhaps, suggests we choose (and those who therefore have the Holy Spirit made known to them and yet reject and blasphemy the Holy Spirit, commit this sin). If there is irreistable grace, then I don't believe this verse ever captures any person as described above. But this is a difficult subject of interpretation.

Best,

[saved by Grace]

my take on this is that it may be impossible for a believer to commit this sin.i think it is outright rejection of the Holy spirit.a person that asks Jesus to save him or her is sealed with the Holy spirit upon first belief according to the book of romans.if you reject Jesus and in effect say no to him you are also speaking against the Holy spirit,therefore blaspheming the spirit.that is the worst possible sin you can commit is rejecting the remedy that God has provided.you only have the time you are alive to turn from this dreadful mistake,after that it is too late and you wont be forgiven.

[Metania1]

It was Adam's sin of disobedience that plunged the world into sin, which ultimately led our Lord to be crucified. I would like to know where this sin ranks on the spectrum of sins?

[under]

Read this from verse 25 and it is clear what it is about . They claim that the work of the Spirit is from the devil,so blaspheming the Spirit

[Kliska]

It seems we must be very careful not to strain out gnats and swallow camels in something like this. The main issue is sin itself. One sin is enough to separate man from God, doesn't matter the sin. We sin because we are sinners, and that is why all of us so desperately need Christ. As someone said, the rewards shall be different, and perhaps the punishments will vary too for the unsaved, but the main point, the focal point needs to be the understanding that no matter how we sin, or at what level, we are all sinners deserving of Hell; one sin doesn't trump another. Except for rejecting the urge of the Holy Spirit, which also means rejecting Christ's sacrifice.

To put it differently, barring Christ I am no better than anyone else, and am at the same level, am in the exact same spot of a murderer or an adulterer. As we discussed in a different thread; all our righteousness is as filthy rags to God, that puts it in perspective.

[truthseeker815]

It seems we must be very careful not to strain out gnats and swallow camels in something like this. The main issue is sin itself. One sin is enough to separate man from God, doesn't matter the sin. We sin because we are sinners, and that is why all of us so desperately need Christ. As someone said, the rewards shall be different, and perhaps the punishments will vary too for the unsaved, but the main point, the focal point needs to be the understanding that no matter how we sin, or at what level, we are all sinners deserving of Hell; one sin doesn't trump another. Except for rejecting the urge of the Holy Spirit, which also means rejecting Christ's sacrifice.

To put it differently, barring Christ I am no better than anyone else, and am at the same level, am in the exact same spot of a murderer or an adulterer. As we discussed in a different thread; all our righteousness is as filthy rags to God, that puts it in perspective.

Very well worded,Kliska!I agree completely!!

[JoelH]

It seems we must be very careful not to strain out gnats and swallow camels in something like this. The main issue is sin itself. One sin is enough to separate man from God, doesn't matter the sin. We sin because we are sinners, and that is why all of us so desperately need Christ. As someone said, the rewards shall be different, and perhaps the punishments will vary too for the unsaved, but the main point, the focal point needs to be the understanding that no matter how we sin, or at what level, we are all sinners deserving of Hell; one sin doesn't trump another. Except for rejecting the urge of the Holy Spirit, which also means rejecting Christ's sacrifice.

To put it differently, barring Christ I am no better than anyone else, and am at the same level, am in the exact same spot of a murderer or an adulterer. As we discussed in a different thread; all our righteousness is as filthy rags to God, that puts it in perspective.

Indeed, the punishments given out by Jesus to each individual unrepentant sinner at the Great White Throne judgment will be different. Revelation 20:11-15 states that all unsaved will be judged "according to what they have done" - thus that judgment will be based on their specific sins. Whether someone is saved or unsaved will have already been determined forever earlier upon their physical death.

I think the confusion arises because not much about this topic has been preached in churches for quite some time.

[usaf_chaplain]

Well, you can rest assured your sins are worse than mine!


Are certain sins worse or less worse than others? This is a question that has been bothering me today. Does God think that all sins are equally as bad, or that some are just "the lesser evil?"

Thanks.

[BlessedinHim]

the bible says to break one point in the law, you are then guilty or you have broken the whole law. The law is one thing, it is kinda like being sorta pregnant, either you are, or you are not. I used to think that maybe some were worse than others, but in the OT, there are the sins listed and they are all an abomination.

We are either sinners or not, covered in the blood or not.

there are no degrees of sin or salvation.

[Robbinson]

the bible says to break one point in the law, you are then guilty or you have broken the whole law. The law is one thing, it is kinda like being sorta pregnant, either you are, or you are not. I used to think that maybe some were worse than others, but in the OT, there are the sins listed and they are all an abomination.

We are either sinners or not, covered in the blood or not.

there are no degrees of sin or salvation.



You are correct - however, while there are not degrees of salvation or justification - there are degrees of sanctification and scripture tells us there will be distinctions made among believers based upon our following Christ's commandments. So in that sense, this thread holds some relevance.

Best,