Billy Graham explains the one sin that is unforgivable in God's eyes
Many people are fearful that their sins are too many and too terrible that they cannot be forgiven by God, but famed evangelist Billy Graham has explained that there is only one unpardonable sin, and that is the sin of refusing God's forgiveness.
In an advice column which Graham wrote for the Bowling Green Daily News, a person identified by the initials "N.G." asked the evangelist if there is a sin too big that God would not forgive.
"How big does a sin have to be before God won't forgive it? I'm afraid I've probably crossed the line (wherever it is), because I've done some terrible things and have hurt a lot of people," N.G. wrote.
In his response, Graham clarified that the only sin that God would not forgive was the sin of rejecting His forgiveness.
"No matter who we are or what we've done, God still loves us, and He promises to forgive us – totally and completely – if we will only turn to Him in repentance and faith," Graham wrote.
The evangelist noted that it is hard for people to accept God's love and forgiveness because people usually find it hard to forgive others who have transgressed against them. "The greater the hurt, the harder it is for us to forgive," Graham said.
Graham pointed out that God is not like people, and He still loves them even though He has been hurt terribly because of their sins. The evangelist explained that God wants people to realize their sins and approach God in repentance and faith.
"God takes our forgiveness so seriously that He sent His Son into the world to die for our sins," Graham said.
In a 2015 column for the Kansas City Star, Graham explained that rejecting God's offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ is unforgivable because he was not just a religious teacher, but God in human flesh. He further noted that when people deny this, they put a limit on God and assume that He is unable to save sinners.
The evangelist contended that the main reason why it is a serious sin to reject Christ was because he is God's appointed means of salvation. Christ's death on the cross and his resurrection provided the way for people to be forgiven of all sins, he said.