Bible Study Seattle

Many Christians, upon first reading the gospels, run across the unforgivable sin: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”  Matthew 12:32 NIV

Immediately one wonders if they have committed such one time sin?  “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.”  1 John 5:16

Again, this seems to be saying that there is a  single sin that dooms you!  That has no remedy in prayer!?  But wait:

“One can say something against the Son of Man and be forgiven; but whoever keeps on speaking against the Ruach HaKodesh will never be forgiven, neither in the ‘olam hazeh nor in the ‘olam haba.”  Matthew 12:32 CJB

Here the idea conveyed is continuing blasphemy.  What a difference some wording makes!  Like this passage:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7 NIV

versus:

“Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7 CJB

Verb tense matters!