It has been a long-debated amongst theologians as to whether there is an ‘unforgivable sin’ in Christianity – and what it might entail. Many of today’s believers may feel that certain sins are not forgivable, given the severity of wrong-doing, but according to the teachings of both Christianity and the Bible, no sin is unforgivable – when the right actions and intentions are taken.
The concept of God’s forgiveness is a prevalent theme in the Bible – in both the Old and New Testaments – which implies that any sin can, ultimately be forgiven by Him. In Luke 17:3-4:– ‘Be careful! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive’. These words from Jesus clearly demonstrate the unwavering capacity for forgiveness that Christianity espouses.
Religious experts point out that there are certain types of sin that are grave, but ultimately forgiveable. Typical examples include sexual immorality, theft and intentional aggression. However, confusion arises when terms like ‘unpardonable sin’ are discussed and/or referred to in the Bible. For instance, Mark 3:29 states:“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin” – which could be interpreted as being unforgivable.
The main explanation is that the ‘unpardonable sin’ outlined here isn’t one act, or even a single wrong-doing that cannot be forgiven, but rather an attitude or state of mind or something far more complex. It is in fact, a conscious and deliberate rejection of God and His plan of salvation which – if adhered to – entirely removes any hope of absolution for the offender. Those who perpetrate such acts, do so with the intention of never repenting, and therefore, are rejecting God entirely. This is why it is often cited as an ‘unforgivable’ sin.
As to whether this type of ‘sin’ can actually be forgiven – theologians have suggested that no human being can ever truly be beyond redemption. From a Christian perspective, everyone is fallible, and God can show compassion, even in the most dire of circumstances. It is not the wrong-doing itself that defines the state of a person’s soul, but their acceptance of His grace that is of primary importance.
Ultimately, any sin can be forgiven to some extent, if the perpetrator comes to acknowledge, accept and repent of it. This includes ‘grave’ sins that may have terrible consequences, such as murder, or instigating wars – where remorse can lead to forgiveness and absolution before God. And, of course, even then, forgiveness does not absolve the sinner from any earthly judicial proceedings, but there is hope for His mercy, no matter how dark the circumstances.
Gods Mercy
It is imperative to bear in mind that God’s mercy and forgiveness are never-ending and cannot be limited by our understanding of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. According to the Bible, no matter how dire an individual’s actions may be, He will always show mercy, so long as they confess their wrong-doing and repent with a sincere heart. The lack of black and white lines as to who can be forgiven and who may not serves as a reminder of His ultimate sovereignty and power.
This is even highlighted in Luke 6:36: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”, and serves as a call to action for all those who believe, to forgive the wrongs of others and accept them into the community again — “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43).
What About Serious Crimes?
It is understandable that many people may struggle to accept the possibility of a murderer being forgiven, for instance, and that these types of transgressions often create a dilemma for Christian believers. Although forgiveness is a cornerstone of the religion, justice still needs to be served on earth, and so those whose wrong-doings are so great cannot expect to be excused from punishment by God — which mean that those guilty of heinous offences will still have to face moral and legal repercussions.
At the same time, it is helpful to remember that everyone has the potential to repent and be forgiven — no matter how terrible their wrong-doings may have been. The capacity for people to look into themselves and uncover a core of faith, will always be acknowledged and that, no matter how desperate they may have become, they have the power to look to a higher power, and gain reprieve.
The Role of Human Judgement
It is also possible that, in certain cases, an individual may repent and still be unable to gain absolution, either because of human judgement or because of the nature of their crime. As a society, justice still needs to be served and it is not for us to decide what can or cannot be forgiven. Ultimately, we need to love and accept the sinner, rather than deciding their eternal fate.
The Bible states:“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1) – which stresses the importance of leaving such matters to God, who has ultimate and infallible judgement.
To add, even though consequence and grace are key elements of Christian teaching, understanding the imperatives of justice, mercy and righteousness is not always easy. It is important to use discernment and trust in Him, in order to ensure that a level of humane justice is applied in this complex situation.
The Possibility of Redemption
At the same time, it is important to remember the idea of redemption, which centres on the notion that even seemingly ‘unforgivable’ sins can be purified through Jesus’s sacrifice, and thereby allow individuals to ascend, rather than become mired in their pasts. Indeed, it is by accepting and rejoicing in our imperfections and weaknesses, that we can, ultimately be forgiven and strengthened.
Therefore, there is capacity for repentance and to be redeemed, no matter how dire a sin may be. As long as an individual acknowledges, understands and repents of their wrong-doing, there can still be room for hope and healing, without blurring the concept of justice and mercy.
Forgiveness and Healing
The capacity for forgiveness and healing should, however, not be taken for granted, and is something that requires both courage and humility from those who are seeking absolution. The Bible does not give guidelines as to how and when certain sins should be forgiven, instead teaching believers to love and forgive all transgressions, despite the difficulty, should the offender choose to repent.
Humankind is intrinsically flawed, but with the assistance of God, we can strive and reach redemption. Even though some wrong-doings may be harder to forgive than others, each has the capacity be absolved and healed, so long as repentance and acceptance are sincere.
The Power of the Cross
Ultimately, the power of the Cross is seen in the supreme act of forgiveness that occurred when Jesus hung there – ultimately forgiving all of humanity’s wrong-doings. In 1 John 2:12, it states: “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name” – which underscores the strength of His love and understanding, as well as the capability for forgiveness that He bestowed on humanity.
Therefore, whilst there certainly are wrong-doings that are deemed to be ‘grave’, and for which justice will rightly be served, under the umbrella of Christianity, no sin can ultimately be deemed ‘unforgivable’. The possibility of absolution is always there, so long as repentance and acceptance are associated with the wrong-doing.
