ROMANS 4:13,16-18, PS. 105 AND LK. 12:8-12
The Spirit currently convicts the unsaved world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). To resist that conviction and willfully remain unrepentant is to “blaspheme” the Spirit. In today’s gospel Jesus says “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” To blaspheme is to speak with disrespect about God. Blasphemy is verbal or written rebuke of God’s name, character, work, or attributes. It is the lack of reverence for sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or sacrosanct. Blasphemy was a serious crime in the Old Testament. In Lev. 24:10–16, the man who blasphemed God’s name was stoned to death. In the New Testament, Jesus says such a person will not be forgiven.
How are we guilty of this sin today? In 1 Tim 1:20 Paul explains that he had abandoned two false teachers to Satan so they would “be taught not to blaspheme”; thus, promulgating false doctrine and leading God’s people astray is also a form of blasphemy. Whenever we bear false witness, we damage God’s reputation. No forgiveness; why? No forgiveness for this sin because forgiveness is found exclusively in Jesus (John 3:16). To reject the only Savior is to be left with no means of salvation; to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable. So, Jesus says in the gospel “…he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Similarly, in John 3:36 Jesus says “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him”. Beloved, like Abraham in the first reading let us press on into God’s inheritance by faith. No situation should make us deny the love and merry of God.
LET US PRAY
Father, through this daily reading of your word increase our faith. Have mercy on us moments we blasphemed and denied your saving power. We believe in your pardon, grant us your pardon through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
