The following dovetails our cover article on the White Stone, addressing a more controversial example of judgment in Scripture. It is taken from a post by our friend John Crowder, author of Cosmos Reborn, Mystical Union, and a number of other books. You can check out his ministry at www.johncrowder.net

The unforgivable sin is simply rejecting Jesus, the only package forgiveness comes in.

In context, Jesus’ own mother and brothers think he’s a lunatic (Mark 3), then immediately the Pharisees accuse him of having a demon. Jesus then says anyone who blasphemes Holy Spirit never “has” (Greek: echo) forgiveness. He says this goes for now and in the age to come. To reject and demonize Mercy Himself, Jesus Christ, is likewise demonizing the very Holy Spirit who is prompting and pointing you to Jesus, and therefore not “echoing” with, resonating with – not participating in – the healing and mercy He has forever poured out.

Jesus is then clear that all sins committed against Himself will be forgiven (in one saving act, all sin has been dealt with: including our rejection of Him). Is the Spirit unlike Jesus, keeping a record of sins? No, the Spirit is pointing us to Jesus Who is the obliteration of our sinfulness. The Spirit only speaks Christ (there is no other Word of God), and to resist the Spirit is to resist Christ.

To resist Christ is to cling to delusion, allowing the degeneration of our false selves to continue defining us (illusory selves that have no actual substance and were in fact co-crucified with Him). Christ does not know this shadow self I have concocted – for it has no authentic existence outside my own egoic fabrication.

My True Self is found in Christ alone (Who is the Book of Life). But living according to the illusory self – being of a “different spirit” – well, this “state” of existing in unforgiveness cannot be eternal, for “forgiven“ is the only eternal reality. No evil can prevail or even exist in God’s eternal economy. Only His mercy endures forever.

It is impossible to eternally blaspheme through continual resistance. Perhaps we can resist in the “age to come,” but our ultimate existence is found in the One who is beyond all ages. Eternity is more than an extension of time, but a transcendence of time altogether into God alone. Furthermore, this is a sin that is not “pardoned,” but one that necessitates “correction” if we remain resistant in the age to come (see Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, et al.).

So returning to the text, Jesus explains who are his real “mother and brothers” … Those who do the will of the Father. Do you wonder if you’ve ever committed the unforgivable sin? Ever had intense despair over that thought? Well, rest assured, you probably have!

But there’s good news.

See like Mary and James calling Jesus a nutjob, we have likely all blasphemed the Spirit at some point by religiously rejecting Mr. Grace. Rejecting Goodness Incarnate. But Holy Spirit has been tangibly poured out on all flesh. Not everyone “has” (Greek: echoes with/resonates with) the Spirit. Nevertheless, Holy Spirit is quite effective in knocking the most murderous, blasphemous Pharisees like Saul off their asses – eradicating our identity crises, so that the true Paul self comes forth.

The old man, the blasphemous self, does not get to exist beyond all ages. Only our True Self in Christ is eternal.