Answer: According to Matthew 12: 31, 32, except for sin against the holy spirit, all manner of sin among the sons of men shall be forgiven, either in this Age or in the Age to come. The holy spirit here indicates light, or intelligence, respecting God’s purpose. Whoever would willfully or intelligently sin against Jesus, would be guilty of blasphemy against the holy spirit. But if he blasphemes the name of Jesus, through deception or ignorance, then the sin is not blasphemy against the holy spirit and may be forgiven. These forgivable sins may be forgiven through the merit of Jesus’ blood.

But there might be a partly willful sin, in which both superstition or weakness and a certain amount of willfulness had a part. The part that had to do with ignorance, superstition, or weakness can be forgiven, but the part that is willful cannot be forgiven, but must receive a punishment.

For example, a child has committed some trespass and the parent says, “I will punish you for what you have done.” There might be two parts of the punishment – one corporal punishment, the other the displeasure of the parent. With some children the latter part of the punishment would be unbearable. The parent might then say, “Since you tell me that you are sorry and that you will never do it again, I forgive you. But I told you that a penalty would be attached to the disobedience. I will make the penalty as light as seems best in my judgment, but you must still bear the punishment.” And if that be considered proper for an earthly parent, we might expect the Heavenly Father would act similarly.

David’s Sins, Forgiveness, and Punishments

Let us consider the Prophet David, who committed two very grievous sins – one regarding Uriah and Uriah’s wife, and the other regarding Uriah’s death. But we remember with what perseverance David pleaded with the Lord; and though the Lord indicated His forgiveness, He also indicated that there must be a punishment. God forecast several features of the punishment, for example, the sword would not depart from his house, the various rebellions of his own house, the death of his child, etc. (2 Samuel 12: 10-22).

Satan also provoked David to number Israel, contrary to the Lord’s command, to which God was displeased. David again repented and prayed earnestly for forgiveness. The Lord offered him three things, one of which he must choose as the punishment for his sin. Realizing his own weakness, David, in humility declined to make a choice. The three days’ pestilence was sent upon Israel, and 70,000 men fell, however, before the punishment reached David, he had received the Lord’s forgiveness.

The same thing applies to the sins of the Lord’s people. If there is more or less of ignorance, then the punishment is in proportion to the degree of willfulness. Christ died for man’s sin – for His people now, and the world in their day of trial.

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