Hebrews 10:26-31

26: For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27: but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
28: Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29: How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 
30: For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”
31: It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

*** 

Paul had just spoken of entering confidently into the holy place through the blood of Jesus, being washed clean in our hearts, conscience, and bodies. He said to hold fast to our confession of hope and to gather together with other believers to encourage and inspire one another to love and good deeds. In that context, he said if we engage in sin after coming to the knowledge of the truth then there is no longer a sacrifice for our sins. Instead, as an adversary of God, there is a fury of fire as he quoted from Isaiah 26:11.

After receiving the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sin and entering the holy place and presence of God through Him, we become His adversary if we turn back to sin. By turning away from His love, forgiveness, and holiness and turning toward the darkness of sin and depravity, we are trampling on the Son of God, regarding His blood as unclean, and insulting the Spirit of Grace. We are completely disregarding the suffering and sacrifice He made for us.

Consider the punishment under the Law of Moses. If someone violated the Law, they were put to death with the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severe will the punishment be for those who trample the Son of God? Those who receive His cleansing blood and then turn away to a willful lifestyle of sin set themselves as an enemy of God for which there is no more sacrifice, no forgiveness. A sobering thought.

Paul quoted Deuteronomy 32:35-36 where the Lord said vengeance is His and He will repay. He will judge His people. Paul said we know Him who said this, and that He doesn’t say something without keeping His word. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God if one has set himself against Him.

We’ve read much about God’s grace and mercy toward those who are sincerely repentant of sin. Yet we must not take advantage of His mercy, or we will suffer the consequences. God remains a holy God. Let’s encourage one another to remain faithful to Him. His faithfulness toward us has never wavered.


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