The Daily Word of Righteousness

A Warning to the Backslider, #8

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, But only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:26,27—NIV)

The writer has not changed readers. He still is speaking to the holy brothers. A reading of the context will confirm this fact.

If the Christian disciple chooses to keep on sinning after having received Christ no sacrifice for sins is left. He would have to crucify Christ again to be saved. The sinning Christian can expect judgment and a raging fire. He has become the enemy of God.

This is what the Bible says.

Notice also the next verse.

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:28-31—NIV)

It is still the same writer, still the same people being addressed, still the same thesis. These Christians are reminded that whoever rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy. But the believer who continues to sin after having known the way of righteousness shall be punished with much greater severity than was true of the days of Moses.

Whom does the Lord judge? His people! Not the unsaved world, "His people"!

For whom is it a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God?

His people!

I do not know how many American Christians will receive the above passage, but it is just as much Bible as John 3:16. If I am not mistaken we are in for a rough time in America as God invites His people to return to Himself.

You need to persevere so when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36—NIV)

Can you see how the same theme keeps being repeated? The Jewish Christians were not persevering. They had been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, as we use these terms, but then they stopped pressing forward. Maybe they were told they would be "raptured immediately," but I doubt it.

In any case, it is clear if we are to receive what Christ has promised we must faithfully keep on doing the will of God day after day until the time of our death. We must fight the good fight. We must run the race as someone who is determined to win. Salvation is a goal in Christ for which we must fight; toward which we must run with every ounce of strength in our personality.

For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." (Hebrews 10:37,38—NIV)

To be continued.