Matthew 5:14-15 (NASB) says, “14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

 

It is a very common belief in Christianity that you cannot make it to heaven and truly be saved unless your sins have been forgiven. We know Jesus died to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and that if we confess our sins to God He is just enough to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Being able to humble ourselves, admit our failures and repent of everything necessary to align us with God’s will and purpose for our lives allows us to walk in obedience to God and reflect the love and light of Christ. Since we are able to receive the grace and mercy of God, knowing He bankrupted heaven to send His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world, we should be equipped with the strength necessary to grace others and forgive them when they have wronged us! However, this can definitely be easier said than done if we are more focused on the wrong that was done against us instead of the right we can work towards them! 

 

In Mark 3:28-30, Jesus teaches that blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. In context with this scripture, Pharisees tried to accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, who was known as the “prince of demons” if you will. In other words, their only explanation as to why demons were being cast out was because Satan was helping Jesus, which of course wasn’t the case. Nonetheless, this was blasphemy because they were deeming a work of God as the work of the devil. Never accuse anyone or anything as being under the operation of Satan without praying and studying on it yourself because that can put you on dangerous ground! 

 

While blaspheming the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, we also position ourselves to not be forgiven by God if we refuse to forgive others. Therefore, if blaspheming the Holy Spirit is truly the only unforgivable sin, then not being able to forgive others is also blasphemy! Our fear of the LORD and understanding His grace are the tools necessary to build the kingdom and show others that God is truly merciful. When you think of all of the sins God has forgiven you, then you can forgive others for what they have done against you. If anything, do it for yourself so you can walk in perpetual freedom. Bitterness will rob you of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15)! Allow God’s grace to uproot bitterness and live in freedom!