very interesting topic. as a matter of fact we're having a Bible study tonight on this very topic.
For Christmas i recieved the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, and Zodhiates(the editor) wrote long commentary on this topic, taking into account each gospel account in which this sin is spoken of(Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the language, and the context in which the words were said. The commentary is very in depth and detailed, but here is the essence of what Zodiates says.
quote:
It is as if man is defying the Holy Spirit and saying, "There is nothing you can do to divert me from my present sinful course. I am going to have my own way regardless of the shame brought upon the name of Christ." Consequently, the answer of the Holy Spirit is "Unless you acknowledge your sin, I cannot convict you unto repentance, and God, and especially Jesus Christ, cannot remove your sin from you or its consequences in the Day of Judgement.".....If one does not submit to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and repent, in the future God is not going to grant that person exemption from the consequences of his failure to repent during his earthly life. The bed that one makes in this life will be the one he must lie in for eternity.