Can someone whose heart has been hardened come back?
Yes, if the turning is real and it is done now. Scripture holds out both a warning and an open door: there is a hardness so settled that it no longer wants to come, and there is a God who says, 'Seek Yahweh while he may be found.' The worst king in Judah's history came back, and the men who crucified the Son of God were told to repent, and three thousand did. If you want to come back, that wanting is itself grace at work.
This question arose from studying Why does God harden hearts? and Can I seek God on my own?.
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Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
The invitation is issued now, and that is the point
God does not offer pardon in the past tense. 'Seek Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near,' and the next verse says what happens to the one who does: 'let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.' Hebrews presses the same urgency twice in one chapter: 'Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.' A warning like that is not a locked door with a sign on it; it is a hand held out. And Paul says it as plainly as it can be said: 'Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.'
Seek Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
while it is said, “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.”While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
God promises to be found by those who seek Him
The promise is not hedged with qualifications about how bad you have been. 'You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.' Moses had said the same to a people about to be scattered for their idolatry: 'from there you shall seek Yahweh your God, and you shall find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.' Solomon's prayer over a failed nation has the same shape: 'if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin.' Even the parable of the son who wasted everything ends with the father running: 'But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.' And Jesus says of every comer, 'He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.' The last page of the Bible is still saying, 'He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.'
You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
But from there you shall seek Yahweh your God, and you shall find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The worst man in Scripture came back
If there were a category of sin too dark to return from, Manasseh would have been in it. He rebuilt the high places, worshiped the host of heaven inside the temple, and 'shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another.' God spoke to him, and he gave no heed. Then, in chains in Babylon, 'when he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication.' The same is true of the men who killed Jesus. Peter told them to their faces, 'this Jesus whom you crucified,' and they 'were cut to the heart.' Peter did not tell them the door was shut; he said, 'Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' 'There were added that day about three thousand souls.' And Paul, who had hunted Christians, called himself the chief of sinners and said God showed him mercy 'for this cause... that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.'
Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they gave no heed. Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin with which he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
But there is a repentance that is only fear
Pharaoh is the warning here, and he confessed twice. Under the hail he said, 'I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked,' and asked Moses to pray for him. Then the hail stopped, and 'he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart.' Under the locusts he said it again, 'I have sinned against Yahweh your God, and against you,' and hardened again. His words were true and his repentance was not, because nothing changed. Paul draws the line: 'godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.' So the test is not whether you feel bad or say the right words. Joel says, 'Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God,' and Proverbs says, 'He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.' David knew what God was looking for: 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.'
Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. Yahweh is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Pray to Yahweh; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, “I have sinned against Yahweh your God, and against you. Now therefore please forgive my sin again, and pray to Yahweh your God, that he may also take away from me this death.”Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The line Scripture actually warns about
There is a hardness that goes past returning, and Scripture names it so that we will not stumble into it. Hebrews speaks of people who were 'once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift,' and then fell away, and says 'it is impossible to renew them again to repentance.' It warns about sinning 'willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,' and about the man who 'has insulted the Spirit of grace.' It sets Esau before us as an example: afterward he wanted the blessing, 'for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.' Jesus calls the same thing blasphemy against the Spirit, the sin that 'will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.' Notice what all of these describe: not a person who trembles and wants to come back, but a person who has settled, who crucifies Christ again, and who calls the Spirit's work demonic. The warning is written to people who can still read it. Fearing that you have done it is not the same as having done it; the sin itself is ceasing to want forgiveness at all.
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 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.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
lest there be any sexually immoral person, or profane person, like Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal. For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
What to do today
Do not wait for a feeling before you come. God's word to us is 'Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,' and to the contrite He is near: 'Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.' Pray David's prayer after him: 'Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.' Confess specifically and stop excusing: 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Humble yourself instead of hardening: 'Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you,' and 'Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.' And take Him fully at His word, because He is the one saying it: 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.' He is still standing at the door: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' and 'As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.'
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
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What is the unpardonable sin?→The Holy Spirit trail“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”How do I know my repentance is genuine?→The Gospel trail“For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”Can I seek God on my own?→Who We Are trail“As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.”As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”Is there a second chance after death?→Our Hope trail“Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”Is it too late for me to come to Jesus?→The Gospel trail“All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
Seek Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Yahweh was God.And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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