Christ died that we may be forgiven for sins that we inherit from the fall of Adam. These are sins that are committed through ignorance, error, and other “weaknesses of the flesh.” However, there are some sins that are not covered by the Redeemer’s death. These are considered willful sins. They are the results of persistence in clearly recognized acts of error, but through self-will persisted in. The Lord gives over the willful ones to the error which they preferred to the truth (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Such sin will not go unpunished.
In the Matthew narrative, Jesus had just performed some miracles including the casting out of devils. The people that saw this, marveled, and said that Jesus had the spirit of God, and he must be the son of David (the long-awaited Messiah.)
The Pharisees seeing these things said that that these works were from the devil. Reading their hearts, it is here that Christ teaches the dangers of sinning against knowledge and enlightenment. He explains that to misjudge him and his purpose through lack of understanding was forgivable. But to see the spirit of God being done through miracles and good works and attribute it to the work of the devil implied a degree of stubbornness and willfulness on their part.
Such attitude and behavior will not be forgiven in this (gospel) age. The scriptures say, “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.” Also, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 10:26, 6:4-6).
Nor will such sins be forgiven in the age to come (the millennial kingdom age). “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet (Christ and his church) shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3: 22,23)
With knowledge comes our personal responsibility to conform our lives in harmony with truth and God’s character.