Read Hebrews 10:26-31
This passage is the fourth warning in the book (the first three are in Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-19; 6:4-6)-it warns against falling into apostasy. If people (the author includes himself with the ″we″) who profess to be Christians ″deliberately keep on sinning″ they have spurned God (Hebrews 10:26). They should know better, ″[having] received the knowledge of the truth″. But knowledge must result in obedience; otherwise it will only serve to condemn us on the day of judgment. For such people, ″no sacrifice for sins is left″, meaning that since they have rejected the sacrifice of Christ, there is no other way for them to receive salvation (Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11-12). What awaits them is a terrifying judgment of fire that is kept for the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:27; Isaiah 26:11).
Those who wilfully broke the law of Moses were judged (″died without mercy″) on the evidence of two or three witnesses (Hebrews 10:28; see Deuteronomy 17:6). But those who reject Christ are guilty of more serious offences, and therefore will be more severely punished. First, they would have ″trampled the Son of God underfoot″ (Hebrews 10:29)-a terrible rebellion against the one who is Lord and King. Such people will belong to the enemies of God who will become the footstool of Christ (v. 13). Second, they would have ″treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant″ that sanctifies us (v. 29). This is to make the blood of Jesus as common as any other kind of blood, and to belittle the great sacrifice He made of himself. Third, they would have ″insulted the Spirit of grace″ (v. 29). Jesus warned about the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit which would not be forgiven ″either in this age or in the age to come″ (Matthew 12:30-32). To reject the good news about Christ is to insult the Holy Spirit who brings that message.
We must not take God for granted. He is merciful and kind to us and has treated us with love and grace. But we must remember that God is both kind and stern (Romans 11:22). Christ is not only the sacrifice for our sins but also our coming Judge. To reject Him as Saviour is to face His severe judgment in the future. ″To deny Christ is to choose judgment.″43 It is indeed ″a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God″ (Hebrews 10:31) when we are without Christ.
43Healy, Hebrews, 217.
Think through:
What is the difference between ″deliberately keep on sinning″ (Hebrews 10:26) and to fall into sin occasionally? Why is it that a deliberate sinner who continues to sin neither knows Jesus, nor is in Him (1 John 3:6)?
Consider how you would stand before Christ in judgment? What should reassure you? How can you guard against taking your salvation for granted?
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