Are We All Blasphemers?
Mike,
Do you understand why blasphemy against Christ can be forgiven in this age, but against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven in this age?
J____
Hi J____,
Thanks for your question. It allows me to explain how “all things” things past, present and future in Christ, are all ours. This is a two-edged statement, inasmuch as we are all to “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” What that means is that we live by both the good and the evil which are in the Words of Him who creates both good and evil and has it all written in His book before we are even born.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
How is that possible? Here is how that is possible:
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
… and it is “in Christ” that God does all He does. Including this:
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
When was all of this done?
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.
2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
So according to both 1Corinthians 3 and 2Timothy 1, it is all done, and it is all made possible “In Christ Jesus…”
You ask:
… why blasphemy against Christ can be forgiven in this age, but against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven in this age?
Here is the verse in question:
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
This is just one more verse of God’s word which proves Christ identified himself with His creation as well as with His Father. Christ was “made of a woman, made under the law, made sin.” So blaspheming against Christ’s body of Adamic flesh and blood is not to be compared with blaspheming against the Words of His Father.
Christ calls Himself “the son of man [Greek: son of anthropos],” which is the Greek translation of ‘son of man’. Since “anthropos”, ‘man’ or ‘mankind’ all come from Adam Christ is identifying Himself with those in Adam every time He calls Himself “the Son of Man,” and He is called “the Son of Man” nearly twice as much as He is referred to as the Son of God. This is not because Christ is any less the Son of God, but because it is so difficult for us to believe that the Son of God is also the Son of man (Adam). So while we try to protect Christ from His own words, Christ Himself “is not ashamed to be called our brother” in Adam. In fact the scriptures actually say that Adam “is the figure of Him that was to come.”
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [ are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
What is it that “I and the children God has given Me… My brethren” have in common? Here is what Christ had in common with you and me. Here is the reason why you can blaspheme the Son but not the spirit.
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
This phrase “son of man” also appears in this verse of Psalms and in another 107 verses in the Old Testament. It is from this oft used Old Testament phrase that Christ takes His title “the Son of Man.”
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man [Hebrew: adam], that thou visitest him?
What is the distinction Christ is making? That distinction is between Christ’s Words as the words of His Father, and Christ as a man in Adam. Christ’s Words are not His words but His Father’s Words. So it is His Father’s Words of which He is speaking when He tells us:
Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Notice the word “wherefore” which connects these two verses to the preceding verses where Christ is being accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. This is a warning that we are to never make the mistake which was being made by those who were falsely accusing Christ of casting out demons by the prince of the demons, when in reality He was casting them out by the power of the spirit of God.
Demons are unclean and false spirits. Therefore, when we free a person from the bondage of the lies of Babylon, that is a form casting out demons and false spirits. But as long as he continues in those lies he will not be forgiven.
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Denying that Christ was made “the same” sinful flesh is a false spirit which is dealt with by John right here in the very next verse. Denying this Biblical truth is denying what the words of Christ clearly state to be true.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the [“same”] flesh [of “the son of Adam”] is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
If Christ was too holy to be in Adamic flesh when He was in the flesh, why would he not be too holy to be in our Adamic flesh now? But Christ was not too holy to humble Himself to take on “not the nature of angels but the seed of Abraham,” even as He now does in our bodies of sinful flesh and blood (Heb 2:14-17).
Notice, too, that the word ‘Holy’ is not in the Greek in Matthew 12:31. It actually reads “but the blasphemy against the Ghost [Greek: pneuma, spirit] shall not be forgiven unto men.” What is the spirit? Yes, it is in the very next verse, but the point is that “the spirit” and the holy spirit are one and the same when speaking of God and His words.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Now what are “the words that I speak unto you?” Read Is The Bible The Only Word of God? in the FAQ section of iswasandwillbe.com. Christ’s words begin in Genesis 1:1 and end in Revelation 22:21, and we are strictly warned to use those words to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God… search the scriptures daily to see whether these things be so… and not think above what is written.”
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another [The words “of men” are not in the Greek].
So what part of “the things written therein” are not for us? Are these words of Christ concerning blaspheming the spirit not for us? Here in 1Co 3:20-23 is the scriptural answer apart from all the speculations of men:
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
The supposed “wise men” of this Babylonian world cannot see how the following words can possibly be true, but “the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain,” and these words are the only Truth.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
Who will dare to add to these inspired words ‘except for the blaspheming of the spirit?’ I for one will not “think above what is written.” In Christ we are “all things… life and death… things present and things to come…”, and it is He who “creates good and evil” in us, and yet tells us we “will never die.”
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
But how can we possibly be both “dead in Christ… buried with Him… crucified with Christ” and yet “not hurt of the second death?” How can we possibly both “lose our life” and at the same time be told that if we believe in Christ, we “shall “never die?” How can we possibly “abide in the wrath of God” and at the same time be “not appointed unto wrath?”
Finally, how can we possibly be both those who do not blaspheme the spirit, and at the same time say that all things are ours, which would include blaspheming the spirit?” The answer to all these seemingly contradictory questions is right here in the very next verse in 1Corinthians 3. Let’s read it all together so we can get in one more apparent contradiction for the supposedly “wise men of this world.” Here is how we all experience and live all things. Here is how all things are ours, all things present and all things to come. Here is how we can be both wise and foolish, unforgiven blasphemers and forgiven blasphemers against the Words of Christ, which are spirit.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Let’s all become fools and agree that “if we fall into the ground and die… we will never die.”
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
If we can agree on that, then we should have no trouble seeing through all of what the wise of this world call Biblical contradictions. There is the answer to our dilemma right there in 1Corinthians 3:23. We are Christ’s, and we are “in Christ.” It is “in Him” in whom are all things of which “all things are ours” including being both unforgiven blasphemers of the spirit and forgiven blasphemers of the spirit. Here is how that is done if it is given you to receive these words.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
The “wise in this world” cannot understand how we can be in Christ or how Christ can be in His Father. However, the man with the mind of Christ has no such problem. By “becoming a fool” he can now understand clearly how he can both “be crucified with Christ” [and yet] “never die”… lose his life to find it… be blind so he can see, abide in God’s wrath, so as not to be appointed to wrath… be a blasphemer who will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come… and at the same time be a forgiven blasphemer who was “chief of sinners” guilty of blaspheming against the words of and the children of God.
1Ti 1:13 Who [Paul] was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
We all do what we do “ignorantly and in unbelief.” We are all merely “clay in the Potter’s hand,” and “of Him, through Him and to Him are all things.” It is all about God’s sovereignty which He insists we all must acknowledge. When we do that, then we are simply “giving an accounting” of all the good and evil that He has done through us. Like Joseph’s brothers, we are not accountable, we simply must “give an accounting.”
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
The point Christ is making is that if we “give account… of every idle word” how much more will we “give account thereof” for all of our actions?
All Joseph wanted from his brothers was for them to tell their father that they had lied about Joseph’s death and admit to their father that they had sold him into Egypt. Joseph even told His brothers that what they had done was not really them doing it, but it was God who had done it.
Gen 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. [“Tormented in the presence of the Lamb” in Old Testament type]
Gen 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Gen 45:6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest.
Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Gen 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
“You sold me… now it was not you, but God.” Just one more apparent contradiction for those who cannot see how we can, in Christ, claim that “all things… things present and things to come, are ours” and at the same time be forgiven as blasphemers in this age. Remember Paul’s words concerning himself.
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
I pray that it is given to you to see yourself as “chief of sinners, as having blasphemed God, as guilty of the blood of all the prophets from Abel to Zacharias,” as guilty of the blood of Christ Himself, and that you can, at the same time, see yourself as cleansed of all sins in that very blood which you and I have shed through God’s sovereign work in us all.”.
1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
The vast majority of all of mankind will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come. We all, like Paul, are blasphemers who, but by the grace of God, “will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come.” For more on those words, go to the FAQ section of iswasandwillbe. com and read the letters under the Unpardonable Sin section of the FAQs. Here is the URL for one of those letters:
Do God’s Elect Partake of the Second Death/Lake of Fire?
I hope this all helps you to find the comfort that is in all these words of the Scriptures.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime [including Mat 12:31-32] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike
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