The Unpardonable Sin

Chief among the religious problems which have given rise to almost endless questionings is one the thought of which has made many a heedless sinner pause, and, in some instances, threatened to turn remorse for sin into despair. This problem is that of the unpardonable sin, a term which seems to contradict many statements found in Scripture, but which is so definite and unequivocal as to leave no doubt as to its vital import.

We are certainly encouraged to study the Scriptures by the fact that Jesus was a close student of the sacred writing of his time, and referred to them constantly. When obscure questions were brought to him, he "opened their understanding," and lifted thought to the spiritual sense of the Word. We know, too, that through our revered Leader's continuous and prayerful study of the Bible came the wonderful revelation of Truth which has brought healing from both sin and sickness to thousands who to-day find their deepest joy in the study and demonstration of the Word of God, having learned that with obedience and spiritual growth, every perplexing problem will at length be solved.

After we accept Christian Science we wonder how we could ever have been so dull and "slow of heart" all the while that we claimed to love Christ and to be his followers. We see many cases where error so darkens thought that there is bitter regret for some one wrong, and yet no true acceptance of the Holy Ghost or divine Science which alone can save from all sin. This error is obviously unpardonable so long as it exists in belief, for when the fountain of knowledge is opened in any age, ignorance is inexcusable.

In order to understand clearly Jesus' teaching on this subject, we need to turn to the accounts given in Matthew, 12 : 22–37, and Mark, 3 : 22–30, which show unmistakably that this sin is committed where mortal or carnal mind attributes its own wickedness to God, and, worse still, when it claims that the divine healing practised by Christ Jesus was a manifestation of sorcery or demonology. These statements of Jesus need no commentary, they stand today clothed with the majesty of Truth's perpetual demand for recognition and obedience.

The question for us is, How shall we avoid that sin which Christ Jesus declared to be more heinous than all others? The teaching of our text-book is in full accord with Scripture, and has its support when it shows that God never made sin or sickness, and that they are not found in His kingdom which is neither divided against itself nor against divine Principle. When this teaching is truly accepted, sin and disease disappear, even as in Jesus' time. It rests upon us, therefore, to give God the glory for the good which comes to us and to others who are healed by the Christ-truth. Those who impiously say that this Truth-healing is in any wise due to the action of the mortal or carnal mind which is "enmity against God," are, according to Christ's own words, guilty of that sin which shall not be forgiven, "neither in this world, neither in the world to come." This sin is its own punisher, because it shuts out from the offender the moral, physical, and spiritual healing which follows the acceptance of Truth.

To-day many are gladly accepting this message of healing, and this is evidence that the demands of apostolic Christianity are being deeply felt. The wonder is that any hesitate, and the yet greater wonder is that any who have accepted Christian Science should ever question the efficacy of the truth in their own experience, or what is worse, attribute their relief from suffering to anything less than the power of divine Truth.

One may be sinning either consciously or ignorantly, but so long as he acknowledges that God is right and he is wrong, his redemption is not afar off. But what hope is there for him who, like Saul of Tarsus, resists Truth, and would stay the blessed healing influence which proves Immanuel,—God with us? There is none until the light which is "above the light of the sun" destroys his sense of materiality, and he is willing to heed the voice of Truth which says, "Receive thy sight."

Christian Science declares to the world that its healing comes from the secret place of the most High, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." When this message reaches the hearts of the sick and the sinful, and when they see devils cast out "by the spirit of God," the sin of doubt and denial no longer can deceive, and by their words of acknowledgment they are not "condemned," but "justified." K.

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Christ and the Evildoer

January 9, 1904

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