Would it be safe to say that because we are quick to focus on the one verse we might under appreciate the other? That’s what I’m thinking when it comes to the one sin which never has forgiveness overshadowing the all sins that do.

“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” ~ Jesus

(Mark 3:28-29 CSB)

I read these verses this morning and immediately find myself running through my head what I think about the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and the dynamics that make it the unpardonable sin. Then, I start thinking about how I could jot that down with few enough words to fit in a post and yet enough words to adequately explain it. And then, a light bulb goes on illuminating the verse before it and I say to myself, “Wait a minute, self! What did I just totally skim over here?”

There’s been more than a few opinions tendered on exactly why the unforgivable sin is unforgivable, more than a little ink put to paper to work it through. There’s even been more than a little consternation expressed by those who fear they may have crossed that unforgivable line (which, I’m thinking, is a first indicator they haven’t). We read those two verses in Mark and I wonder how often we tend to focus and fret on verse 29 rather than rejoice and rest in the truth conveyed in verse 28. We set our minds to trying to figure out why speaking evil of the Spirit is the one sin which can’t be forgiven rather than marveling at the fact that every other sin can be forgiven.

People will be forgiven for all sins. Chew on that!

Who we talking about here? People. Well, I’m people. Verse 28 applies to me then.

What sins will be forgiven? All sins. All is in all? Yup, all as in all. Every one of every kind. From what seems to us the least transgression to the worst we can imagine, and think couldn’t (or shouldn’t) be forgiven. Those sins we have known a measure of victory over and those which continue to beset us like a thorn in the flesh, keeping us humble. Those in our past, those in our present, those that are sure to be in our future. People will be forgiven for all sins.

Forgiven? Like how forgiven? Forgiven as in so dealt with they are forever filed away, never to be brought to our charge — as in, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12). Forgiven as in the debt owed a holy God for unholy behavior has been wholly paid in full. Forgiven as in the separation caused by sin is so dealt with that it results in reconciliation. And not just reconciliation, but in regeneration as we become new creations in Christ. And not just regeneration, but in adoption as we are born again as holy sons and daughters of God. That’s pretty forgiven! Amen?

But keeping chewing . . .

And how is such all-encompassing forgiveness possible for all sins? Through the cross, that’s how!

The Holy Son of God, come to earth in flesh, gave Himself as the once forever sacrifice for all sins. His perfect life given for our less than perfect life. His blood shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His buried body raised from the dead that we might know sin’s bondage has truly been broken and death’s curse has assuredly been defeated.

Sure, we need to noodle on verse 29, but let’s not do so at the expense of basking in verse 28.

People will be forgiven for all sins!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory!