Question And Answer

Termination of a life, even before birth, is so serious that some people think this is the one sin that God can’t forgive. Jesus did indeed speak of a sin that was unforgivable: “Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matt. 12:31). Clearly, the Lord was not speaking about abortion but rather about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. According to the context, the blasphemy of the Spirit is declaring the miracles of the incarnate Son of God to be works of Satan (Matt. 12:24–28). Such a declaration is a final and full rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and Redeemer of humanity.

Many years ago, a woman came to my congregation plagued with guilt for an abortion she had about 15 years earlier. She kept telling herself that she was just removing unwanted tissue—but her conscience kept telling her otherwise. When she met with my wife and me, we were grateful that we could tell her that God still loved her and that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). If she put her trust in Jesus’ death on her behalf and His resurrection to new life, she would be forgiven forever (Eph. 1:7–8), and “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). This dear woman responded with joy and trusted in Jesus upon hearing the good news. Amazingly, she has been free of guilt now for many years.

What about someone who is already a follower of Jesus and then has an abortion? Scripture teaches that even that person can be restored to fellowship with God and experience true pardon (1 John 1:9). No sin is greater than God’s ability to forgive and restore, and that includes abortion.