What is the Unforgivable Sin?

Blasphemy is the only unforgivable sin.

Definition of Blasphemy:  (Merriam-Webster)
     1. the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.
     2. irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable.

       
However, the scripture below tells us that blasphemy against God or Jesus Christ can still be forgiven, it's only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 

Matthew 12:31-32  "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man (Jesus) 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."

Does God Answer Prayers of the Unsaved?

Let's define "unsaved"

Unsaved - "In danger of the eternal punishment of Hell"  (thefreedictionary.com)
Someone who is unsaved, has not asked God for forgiveness of their sins and believed Jesus died for them.

Does God answer prayers of the unsaved?


John 9:31 "Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does His will, him He hears." (King James)


Proverbs 1:27-29 "When calamity overtakes you like storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord," (NIV '84)


Our job as believers is to pray on behalf of the unbelievers (unsaved). 


Do you want to be saved?

You can go to www.theprayerpeople.org and learn how, OR you can pray this:

Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You and this separates me from You. I am sorry and I want to turn away from my sinful ways and turn to You. Please forgive me. I believe that You died for me and my sins, that You rose from the dead, and are alive and hear my prayers. I'm asking You to become my Savior and the Lord of my life from this day forward. Amen.


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Sin and Forgiveness

Ever feel like you sin too much for God to forgive you?

Or maybe, that your sins are too big and God will choose not to forgive you?

The truth is that God can forgive you, no matter how much you sin or how big the sin is. He not only CAN forgive you, but He also WILL forgive you. All you have to do is ask! Everyone is capable of receiving God's forgiveness.

Psalm 65:3 "Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all."

Feel Like You Aren't "Good Enough"?

Do you feel like you just aren't good enough? Feel like no matter what you do, it doesn't measure up?

Jesus addresses this feeling!

Mark 2:15-17 says, "While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus CHOSE to be with the ones who weren't "good enough". And now, since Jesus died for our sins, we ARE "good enough" and if we believe on Jesus Christ, we have His Holy Spirit with us always. 

This week, choose to believe in yourself - YOU are God's creation. With Jesus Christ, YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

Hypocrisy

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary a hypocrite is:
1) "a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion."  
2) "a person who acts in contraction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings."

The Bible also speaks about hypocrisy:
Matthew 7:3  "Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
Matthew 6:2  "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."


As hard as it is, we must be careful not to judge people. It's possible we saw them at their worst moment.  And if we are honest with ourselves, we are all hypocrites... Some are just more obvious than others. We sin every single day and the only way we are saved is through God's grace and forgiveness.

*Many times, those who we think are hypocrites are really just sinners; we only catch them while they are sinning. Now ask this question to yourself: "Am I a sinner?" Answer is YES, because Jesus Christ was the only sinless man. Now all of the sudden, WE put ourselves in the same category as those hypocrites we were judging!

Take a look at what the Bible says about judging:
James 4:12  "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Matthew 7:1-2  "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."


How to we keep from judging???
- We love them.


We are called to love others and forgive them.
John 13:34-35  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
1 Peter 4:8  "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.


Challenge:
This week try to show love towards people, even in the midst of their sin. Show them that your not judging them and you truly do care. It will not go unnoticed.