I have had some people to tell me that the unpardonable sin is no longer a threat to this generation and that we don't ever have to worry about commiting it. I disagree, I believe we can still commit it and I agree with Bryant in his view that it is total rejection of Jesus Christ.I will go a little more and say that I feel that there are more and more people commiting it every day.Part of this is the fault of the people in the church who claim to be christians but act as if they have never heard that there is a book of instructions on how to conduct ourselves in a manner that it shows that we are striving to be Christ like. There really is a book that teach this type of material and I recommend that we share it with each other. It is called The Holy Bible. I know this makes me look like I am a smart aleck and to some point I am, but when the lost people of this world sees us acting in an unchrist like way, we cause them to reject the invitation of the Holy Spirit when it deals with their heart. They feel that they live as good a moral life as christians do so why should they go to church and be a hypocrit. I have had to deal with this many times when I ask people to come to church. We are compelled to invite the lost to come to the House of the Lord, but it seems if they come it will almost be because we pull them dragging and screaming the whole way. I don't know if it is like this where you go to church but the imformation I get from some pastors, this is how it is in the area where they preach also. Christians lets wake up and consider what we are doing before we cause someone to have an excuse not to come to church and to die in their sins and go to hell. Most of my actions cause Christ to shutter when I start to do some of the things I do. Be honest, you are right there with me. We are all sinners, saved by grace. That plus nothing is what is going to get us into Heaven, so lets quit making the road so rough for us and for others. God bless everyone, have a good day, please pray about who you are going to vote for in the election and don't let the media sway you, follow Gods leadership. Now I will get off of my soap box and will let everyone alone for awhile.

This devotion brings to mind those people who say they believe in Jesus (therefore they are not rejecting Him) but they do not believe He is the only way to God, the Father. In their mind they do not reject Jesus but in their folly and ignorance of God's word they do reject the true Jesus. I pray such people will search through God's word, the Bible, and find the true Jesus before they end up rejecting Him their whole lives while thinking they have accepted Him.

We've learned that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. My question is what if I wasn't born under christian values (born in India, China, Japan, Africa, or Russia)? How would I know if Jesus is the way?

Stephen, This is a question, or a challenge, often mentioned when Christians speak of Jesus as the only way to heaven. It just sounds so exclusive. However, this is the very reason Jesus came to form His Church. We are to go to the ends of the earth to proclaim Him. He says that none of His sheep will be lost; not one. I trust His word on this. None means none. As for the unpardonable sin; I don't find this as distressing as all the pardonable sin that goes unconfessed and unrepented. For me, the most frightening words in the Bible are; "depart from me, I never knew you". The most comforting? Easy. "Well done good and faithful servant." I think the emphasis is on 'faithful', because none of us are really "good enough". Have a blessed day.

Stephen, The verse you made reference to is John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" Yes, you are right that it is a difficult undertaking for people in other cultures to hear or read the words of Jesus. I believe as Grant wrote in his comment that God is making a way or a provision for those people to hear through those who are obeying His command to get out the Good News. We are to do our part as best we can as Christians and recognize that God is the final judge and He provides a way for all who He chooses to know of Jesus. In my previous comment I was talking specifically of those who call themselves Christian and have full access to the Bible but they do not take the time to read the words of Jesus and find out what it truly means to follow Him. They call themselves Christian but go their own way choosing what they want Jesus to be and then people see them and say Christians are all hypocrites. I am not claiming to have arrived at perfection myself but I do believe in Jesus as He is in the Bible.

Stephen, I think its important to recognize that there is no limitation on God to reach out to those in "non-Christianized" nations. I recently spent sometime in India, where I met people who had never even heard about the name of Jesus. No idea about the nativity story, the cross, nothing. But as I witnessed this I also saw God moving in these people. I believe that there is an inner yearning to have a relationship with God, whether we choose to recognize it or not. We were created to be in perfect relationship with Him and our spirit is meant to have that. God reveals himself to all people regardless of where they live, their mother tongue or the religion that clutches their society. Our God lives! And He is still supernaturally revealing himself to His people!!

I see two parts to this devotion. Bryant makes a good point in that there are many who worry that they've committed the unpardonable sin, or that maybe they've not fully repented of their sins or fully given their life to Christ. I agree that if someone has worries over this, it usually means that they have nothing to worry about. If this is a major concern of theirs, then that means they take God's word seriously, and are truly trying to please God. Sometimes a person's personality and thought processes can make it more difficult for them to take comfort in the Gospel. If there are any reading this who are in that situation, remember that God does not expect us to be perfect--either in our actions or thoughts. If we could be, there would be no reason for Jesus' sacrifice.

The second important point... we need to make sure that others understand the only thing they can do in this life that will separate them from God is to turn their back on Him and His free gift of grace. If they decide they do not want a relationship with God in this life, that decision will extend to eternity when they die. If there are those reading this who fall in that category, search your heart for why you have chosen that path. I think behind all of the questions, objections and rhetoric, you will find that the heart of the matter is you really want to remain in control of your own life. There are things that you do not want to give up, and you do not want to be inconvenienced by what it would mean to be a follower of Christ.

With regard to those who have never heard the gospel...Paul tell us in Romans 1:19-23 (New American Standard Bible):

19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22professing to be wise, they became fools,
23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
I believe we can trust that God will treat fairly those that acknowledge Him as creator and Lord,despite not having heard the specific words that we refer to as the gospel.

Also, it's worth pointing out that Right From The Heart appears to be quite active in spreading the good news to unreached people in places like India and Iran...check out their web site where they provide some pretty exciting information about their radio ministries in these places. I hope that many of us that read and appreciate these devotions are supporting this ministry financially as well.

Amen RickY! That was the original sin. Man wanted to be like God. In fact, he wanted to be his own god. We see it in other folks today, and we see it fighting for a place in our own lives. That's why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to counsel us and keep us strong.

Thank you God for leading me to this devotion today. It seems I do nothing but ask God if I am living His will for me, to show me the way of His will. I also go down the list of all wrongs I have done and ask for His forgivness multiple times a day, each day adding more from the day before !!! I know that he forgives me and is probably sick of hearing from me about the same things but truy, shouldn't something "inside" happen that I can forgive myself? I know I think too much and live in fear that I will hear those worst words, as Grant Said "Depart from me, I never knew you". I can't bear the thoughts of that !! And to think of people I have met and meet daily that are non believers, my heart breaks when I am turned away. I have two women that work for me and are wiccans (sp). When I tell them I want to KNOW I will live with them for an eternity in heaven, they roll their eyes. I love these girls and it breaks my heart but in the 5 years I have known them, I can't get through to them.
Question that is standing out in my mind, Jerry, when you said "That plus nothing is what will get us into heaven" what did you mean? His grace and mercy? How are we making it hard on others? It's early a.m., so maybe when I re-read it this afternoon, I will see it more clearly.
God bless each of you today

Jenny, I think what Jerry was saying is that there is nothing we can DO to get into heaven or to be justified in the eyes of God. It is a free gift from God. That is Grace. When we start judging ourselves, or others on what we do, we risk becoming legalists. Our works flow from a new heart; not the other way around. It sounds to me like you have a very Christian heart, but you are "being too hard on yourself". Do your best and leave the rest up to God.

I want to add a comment about Romans 1 which was mentioned earlier. I think we sometimes take that scripture out of context. While it does say that no one will have an excuse, I don't think it's main purpose is to exclude people. From other scripture we know that God's desire is for all men to be saved. We also know that if you seek him with all your heart you will find him. Speaking of that person who has never heard, we can assume that not only Romans 1 applies, but other scripture applies as well. Two examples from Acts come to mind. Remember the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading Isaiah (seeking God.) God provided a way through Philip to show him Jesus. Later in Acts we have the story of Cornelius, who had a dream to send for a man named Peter, who later explained the gospel to him. As Julian mentioned, it is our responsibility to spread the gospel. Perhaps we are the "Philip and Peter" that God is using to disciple that person who is "seeking with all his heart."

Jenny, Perhaps it would help if you focus on the Bible verse Romans 8:1-2, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Remember what Jesus did for us is sufficient to cover our sin and it is only the devil, the accuser, who wants to keep bringing things us again to us and make us think our sin is greater than the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. As for the people you work with, perhaps you have done your part in reaching them for Christ and maybe God has someone else in mind to reach out to them in another manner that will bring them to new life in Christ. I have gotten frustrated with people like that, too, but always have to stop and remember maybe I have done my part and it is up to God to decide when, whom and how He will work out salvation for anyone. And I guess there is also the case that He does not choose to give salvation to everyone because some continually reject Jesus. It is in God's hands. May God bless you on your journey through life with Him.

Jenny, what I meant is this, the gift of salvation was given to us on the cross when Christ died for us. It is his grace that washes away our sin. Nothing we do will add to that. Some teach that you reach heaven thru your works but the Bible tells us that it is not by OUR works that we are saved, if it was then we could boast in ourselves not Jesus. I agree with some others, just do your best and let God direct you and I believe every thing will be allright. We all worry but God will forgive our sins if we confess them to him.