Matthew - Blasphemy Against the Spirit

In today's study from Matthew 12:31-32, our Lord warns them of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What did he mean by that? Can we commit it today?

The Unpardonable Sin

vv.31-32 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.  (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.

Our Lord knew full well that his offer of the Kingdom was not only being rejected but that his works were being attributed to Satan (v.24), they had just told him as much. He is warning them now that if they reject him, they will commit a sin that will be unforgivable. Why the Holy Spirit? – Because, while the Holy Spirit had not been given in the same measure as it Pentecost, his primary ministry was and still is to testify as to who Jesus Christ. Jesus told them in John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

When one rejects the message of the Holy Spirit in regards to who Jesus is, they are calling him a liar, and thus rejecting his message. The religious leaders were doing this and anyone today who does the same. This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or what is also called the unpardonable sin. The bottom line is that the only sin that God will not forgive you for is dying without having received His Son as your Lord and Savior. Therefore, one has accepted the testimony of Christ (or the Holy Spirit) cannot commit this sin.

Confusion

I have had some express to me that they are afraid that they have actually committed this sin. My only response is that if one desires Jesus at all, they have not committed this sin. However, my encouragement is that they not continue to reject the offer of salvation, because, I do believe that the heart can eventually become so hardened that the point of no return will be passed. I have heard some people say that they will come to the Lord in their own time. I categorically reject that statement. You will come will he calls you, or you will not come at all.

Sin unto Death

However, many confuse this sin with the sin that leads to death that the Apostle John refers to in 1 John 5:16-17. I believe that we see an example of this in the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.