Does God Forgive All Sins?
Rise Up Message Series – Renovate Church
By Greg Russell
This is one of the most common—and most emotionally charged—questions people ask about God and the Christian faith:
If God is real, does He forgive all sins?
As a pastor here at Renovate Church, I’ve heard this question asked in many different ways. Sometimes it comes from curiosity. Sometimes it comes from guilt or shame. And sometimes it comes from deep fear—like a recent message we received that said:
“I’ve committed the unforgivable sin. Please, please, please help me.”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. And you’re not beyond hope.
What Is the Unforgivable Sin? (Matthew 12 Explained)
Jesus’ warning about the unforgivable sin comes from Matthew 12. At the time, Jesus was healing people and freeing them from demonic oppression. Instead of celebrating what God was doing, the religious leaders accused Jesus of performing miracles through the power of Satan.
Jesus responded by saying:
“Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.”
That statement has frightened many sincere believers over the years—but it was never meant to trap honest people.
What Does Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit Mean?
In the Bible, blasphemy refers to speech or actions that slander God’s name and character—calling what is good evil, and what is evil good.
God’s name represents His identity. To misrepresent Him is serious because it distorts the truth for others, among other reasons.
In Matthew 12, the Pharisees were not confused. They knew the Scriptures. They saw the miracles. And yet they willfully and persistently rejected the work of the Holy Spirit—calling God’s work demonic.
That is what Jesus was warning against.
Why the Unforgivable Sin Cannot Be Forgiven
Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit is the one who leads us into truth (John 16:13). To reject the Holy Spirit is to reject truth itself.
When someone permanently and defiantly cuts themselves off from the only source of truth and life, there is no path left to repentance or forgiveness. That’s why this sin is called “unforgivable.”
It’s not because God is unwilling to forgive—but because forgiveness is being refused.
This is why I can confidently say this as a pastor:
If you’re worried you’ve committed the unforgivable sin, you haven’t.
People who have truly committed this sin are not broken or fearful about it. They don’t want forgiveness.
Does God Forgive All Sins? A Clear and Honest Answer
If I were forced to give a simple yes-or-no answer, I’d have to say: no—not everyone is forgiven.
But that answer alone can be misleading.
God forgives all sins that are surrendered in humility. He does not force forgiveness on people who refuse it.
Forgiveness requires repentance. It requires admitting that we need God’s grace.
Forgiveness in Christianity: More Than a Legal Transaction
Many people view forgiveness only as a legal exchange—guilt removed, record cleared.
That matters. But it’s not the heart of the gospel.
The gospel is about relational restoration, not just avoiding punishment. God’s desire is not simply to forgive you, but to transform you from the inside out. That’s the reality of repentance.
Scripture says:
“The eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
God is looking for hearts—not loopholes.
Why Forgiveness Must Be Received, Not Forced
Jesus taught that forgiveness has a reciprocal nature:
- Forgive, and you will be forgiven. – Matthew 6:14
- The measure you use will be measured back to you. – Luke 6:38
This isn’t because God is petty or withholding. It’s because a heart filled with pride, resentment, or self-justification cannot receive grace.
Forgiveness isn’t withheld—it’s resisted.
Can You Sin Freely Because God Forgives?
Some people treat forgiveness like a spiritual safety net—assuming they can knowingly choose sin because God will forgive them anyway.
That mindset misunderstands the gospel.
Jesus didn’t come to excuse sin. He came to defeat it—and to free us from its power.
Am I in Christ? The Question That Matters Most
The most important question isn’t “Does God forgive all sin?” but:
Am I in Christ?
Romans 8 tells us:
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Being in Christ doesn’t mean perfection. It means direction. It means Jesus is Lord, and we are learning—day by day—to live under His leadership through the Holy Spirit.
Flesh vs. Spirit: What Is Shaping Your Life?
Living according to the flesh doesn’t only mean obvious sin. It means being governed by natural impulses, abilities, and priorities.
Living by the Spirit means yielding those things to God and allowing Him to shape our desires.
There is a daily tension between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5). Transformation happens as we consistently say yes to God—even imperfectly.
The Good News for Our Community
If you are in Jesus, God always forgives.
His forgiveness is based on what Christ has done—not on the depth of your failures.
At Renovate Church, we believe forgiveness leads to freedom, transformation, and new life—not fear and condemnation.
Rise Up: Living Forgiven and Transformed
God is searching for people whose hearts are fully His.
If you’re local to our community and exploring faith, you’re always welcome at Renovate Church. We’re a church that believes questions matter, truth matters, and grace changes lives.
Let’s rise up and be people who live forgiven—and transformed—through Jesus.