Is There A Sin That Cannot Be Forgiven?

Some time ago David Martin, minister at the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN, authored an article entitled “Common Sense Questions A ‘Church Of Christ’ Preacher Cannot Clearly Answer.” This article contains 13 questions that address subjects such as the necessity of baptism and instrumental music. Through much study and reading on these subjects I have formulated answers that cite “book, chapter, and verse” references showing what the Bible teaches regarding these questions. This article addresses Mr. Martin’s seventh question.

It is my prayer that anyone who reads this article will study the verses cited with an open mind to truly learn what God’s Word teaches. Obedience to God’s Word, nothing more and nothing less, is what will get us to Heaven. We all want to go, but we have to remember that those who reach Heaven will do so on God’s terms, not man’s.

QUESTION

After becoming a Christian, are there any sins that will put me beyond the "point of no return" so that I cannot regain salvation? What sin or sins will put me in such jeopardy, so that, after becoming a Christian, I would be doomed to hell without any recourse? Please be specific and give me clear Bible references.

BOOK CHAPTER AND VERSE ANSWER

There are no specific sins that put anyone beyond the “point of no return”. A person can place himself beyond the point of no return by his attitude concerning sin.

Lets begin by looking at the life of Saul of Tarsus. We can read several passages that tell us how severely he persecuted the Lord’s church, how he participated in the execution of Stephen and many other things he did.

Act 7:58-59

(58) And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

(59) And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Act 8:3

(3) As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Act 9:1-2

(1) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

(2) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

As you read on in Acts 9 you see that Christ appeared to Saul there on the road to Damascus. He was instructed to go into Damascus and wait. The Lord sent Ananias to him three days later. Ananias knew who Saul was and the things he had done. He questioned the Lord, but he did as he was instructed.

Act 9:13-14

(13) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

(14) And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

The Lord told Ananias that he had a special purpose for Saul. Saul was baptized and immediately began to preach Christ. He became known as the apostle Paul and he was one of the greatest teachers and hardest workers we have an account of in the Bible.

Act 13:9

(9) Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

In man’s eyes, what could be worse than murdering people because they were serving God? Was Saul forgiven of the horrible sins he had committed? Absolutely! The key to his forgiveness was his attitude toward sin once he learned the truth. Our attitudes are also the keys to our forgiveness. We have looked at I John 1 in answering previous questions. It is the basis for the answer to this question as well.

1Jo 1:6-9

(6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

(8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Continual or willful sin is not “walking in the light”. It is walking in darkness. Continuing on this path is what jeopardizes our salvation.

Heb 10:26-27

(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

As soon as we turn from this path and back to God, then we will be in the saved state once more. Our attitude is the key. If we are willing to admit sin (no matter what the sin is), we are sorry for it, and wiling to turn from it then we are not “beyond the point of no return”.

2Co 7:10

(10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.