The Danger of Deliberate Sins Hebrews 10:26-31 This passage in Hebrews may very well be one of the toughest passages in Scripture. Together, these verses constitute perhaps the most sobering passage in the Bible. Many have come to this text and have walked away scratching their heads, wondering just what it exactly it means. Of particular interest are the words of verse 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. Some have come to make this verse their proof text against the doctrine of eternal security. In doing so, they completely ignore the greater context of the passage. Within the book of Hebrews, there are five distinct warning passages that are given to believers, all of which relate to the way they respond to the Word of God. Wiersbe pointed out that these passages deal with: Drifting from the Word through neglect (2:1-4) Doubting the Word through a hard heart (3:7-4:13) Dullness to the Word through sluggishness (5:11-6:20) Despising the Word by willful disobedience (10:26-39) Defying the Word by refusing to hear (12:14-29) Each one of these passages call on the believer to positively respond to the Word of God by pointing out the consequences should we choose not to. The intention in these passages is to encourage believers to move forward in their faith rather than going backward. The goal of Hebrews is to move us alone to maturity in Jesus Christ. The warning in this passage is for believers who willfully or intentionally choose to sin against God in their walk with Christ. Important to note is the connection that is made with verses 19-25. Thus, it deals with the subject of the Christian who sins on purpose by forsaking the assembly. Some people within the church have bought into the notion that if you are saved, it doesn t really matter if you sin or not. Their reasoning is that since Jesus died for your sins, you are free to live any way that you please and do so in the name of grace. But this is a serious error. Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Paul dealt with those who used the grace of God as an excuse to sin. They turned their liberty in Christ into license to do whatever they pleased. This is a distortion of the gospel and the Christian life altogether. According to Hebrews, it is a big deal when a Christian decides to sin on purpose. While some hold to the opinion that Hebrews 10:26-31 deals with the apostasy of unbelievers, I am of the conviction that it deals with the presumptuous sins of believers. This is not to say that there is not anapplication that can be made for the one who is an unbeliever, but the main point of the text, as indicated by way of context, deals with sin in the lives of God s people. The evidence is in the text: If WE sin willfully after WE have received knowledge blood of the covenant by which he was SANCTIFIED The Lord will judge HIS PEOPLE. It seems very obvious to me that the writer of Hebrews is speaking to believers who choose to intentionally sin against God in their life. And based on what he writes, it is a very serious thing. 1. Deliberate sin PRESUMES upon God s grace (10:26-27) For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. The writer of Hebrews is speaking to believers. In verses 19-25, he has already specified how believers should respond to Christ s sacrifice. Here, he is explaining how we are NOT to respond. We are not to respond to Christ s death for us by living for ourselves and choosing sin over submission to our Savior. According to the text, a couple of things are to be understood about the sin to which he is referring: First, it is PREMEDIATED. v. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. Willfully speaks of voluntarily or willingly; careful, calculated decision
The tense of the verb in the original language should read, For if we willfully go on sinning. This means that it is not dealing with one isolated act of sin, but instead refers to an attitude or repeated behavior. Note that this sin is willful after one has received knowledge of the truth. Knowledge of the Truth speaks of full knowledge, saving knowledge This same phrase is used elsewhere in the New Testament to describe believers who have come to faith in Christ: 1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7 Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. He is referring to willful disobedience in the lives of those who have received the knowledge of the truth, who have been converted to faith in Jesus Christ. When saved people sin on purpose, it is always a very serious matter. In verse 26, the writer of Hebrews says it's a serious matter because it excludes sacrifice. There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins. What does this mean? In the Old Testament, there were certain sins that were called presumptuous sins, on purpose sins, sins that people might commit on purpose and there was no sacrifice for those in terms of the daily sacrifices. These presumptuous sins, or sins committed on purpose, were committed with the idea in mind that forgiveness would always come later. David spoke of these sins of presumption: Psalm 19:13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Only on the Day of Atonement was a provision made for these sins. The writer of Hebrews has already pointed out how Jesus has made one sacrifice for sins forever on the cross of Calvary. When Jesus died on the cross, Jesus died for SIN. He also died for SINS. Sin is the root of the problem. Sins are the fruit of the problem. Sin that's our nature. Sins that's our behavior. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
When Jesus died on the cross, He died for our sin, our sin nature. He got to the root of the matter. But He death also deals with the fruit of the matter our SINS. Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. That means that in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary not only did He deal with our sin nature, but He also made perfect provision for us so that we don't have to sin on a daily basis. He sets the sinner free. John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed. So, when I sin willfully and intentionally, I'm denying the provision Jesus made for me through His death on the cross. I'm essentially saying that I'm not going to avail myself of what He did for me at Calvary. This is the case that Paul makes in Romans 6. Romans 6:6-7 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. This doesn t mean that we never sin, but it does mean that we are free from sin. Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. The Christian life is an exchange of one master for another. When I was lost, I was held captive by sin s power. Now that I am saved, the chains of sin have been broken and I have been set free. To be free does not mean that I may not sin, but it means that sufficient provision has been made so that I don t have to sin. Thus, when I willfully sin as a believer, I m despising Christ s power and provision to keep me from sin. Second, it is PUNISHED. v. 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. God judges sin in the life of His children just like any loving Father would.
When I was growing up, I knew what it meant to have a loving father who at times would be angry with me because of my behavior. I knew what fiery indignation was. God takes our sin more seriously than we do. The church in the city of Corinth gave Paul more problems than did any other church in the New Testament. They were spiritually immature and described as being carnal believers. It is no wonder than that he warned them of chastisement. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one s work, of what sort it is. If anyone s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Fiery examination, fiery indignation these are words used to describe the fierceness of God s discipline in the lives of His people. The Shepherd sometimes has to bring the rod down on the rear end of His sheep. This doesn t mean that He doesn t love them; in fact, it only serves to prove that He does indeed love them. Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens. God always deals with rebellion in the lives of His children. 2. Deliberate sin DEVALUES Christ s sacrifice (10:28-29) Anyone who has rejected Moses law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? In the Old Testament, willful sin was punishable by death. Those who presumptuously sinned by despising the law and broke it were executed. This punishment was without mercy and on the testimony of two or three witnesses. The penalty was applied for a variety of sins, ranging from picking up sticks on the Sabbath day to idolatry and murder.
The point is that severe discipline came upon the life of the lawbreaker. Psalm 51:2-3 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Because he willfully sinned against God, David knew that he deserved to die for his sins, yet he cried out for mercy. He knew that a multitude of sacrifices could not save him. Thus, all he could offer to God was a broken and contrite heart. If a believer under the old covenant deserved discipline for his rebellion against the Lord, how much more should the believer under the new covenant deserve discipline who willfully sins against God despite the provision of Christ on his or her behalf? If it was serious in the Old Testament under law, it is more serious in the New Testament under grace. If sin is serious in the life of an unbeliever, it is more serious in the life of a believer. Make no mistake, when we sin willfully and presumptuously against God, we cheapen our estimation of Christ s sacrifice and it exposes us to the disciplining hand of God. And the writer of Hebrews shows in three distinct ways how Christ is undervalued in the willful sinner s life: First, he TRAMPLES the Son of God. v. 29a Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot A believer who is not submitted to Jesus basically walks all over Jesus. When sin is evident in the life of the Christian, it brings a reproach on the name of Jesus. Trampled to trample down; same word used by Jesus to refer to salt that lost its savor that was good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot The idea is that the person of Jesus Christ is not treated with utmost value and worth. When I choose SIN over my SAVIOR, I am trampling Him under foot. Second, he CHEAPENS the blood of the covenant. v. 29b counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing
Herein is another reason that I believe his passage is dealing with disobedient Christians. It is being addressed to those who have been sanctified by the blood of Christ, meaning that the blood has already been applied to their life. Common unholy in KJV; nothing precious or out of the ordinary Paul warned the Corinthian believers that some of them were guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord through the way that they responded to the Lord s Table. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. God was bringing chastisement upon the Corinthians for the way that they had so cheapened the precious blood of Jesus. Third, he INSULTS the Spirit of grace. v. 29c and insulted the Spirit of grace? Insulted translated as hath done despite in KJV; to treat with insolence To insult the Spirit of grace is to disregard his work of saving grace in your life. The Bible says that there are a number of ways that we can sin against the Holy Spirit: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit Matthew 12:31 Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Grieving the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Quenching the Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. Sins against the Holy Spirit are among the most serious because it is to treat with contempt the Helper, the One who ministers to your soul. This is why so many believers are frustrated in their Christian life. Because of willful sin, they insult the very One who lives within them. When we insult or grieve the Holy Spirit, the result is a loss of fellowship, and that fellowship will not be restored until things are made right. 3. Deliberate sin INVITES God s judgment (10:30-31) For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. You say, But I thought that I have been spared from judgment through faith in Jesus? That s certainly true. My sin has been dealt with through Christ s death on the cross. But it is also equally true that my actions can elicit the displeasure of an offended Father. Someone says, This sure doesn t sound loving! Love may very well be the most misunderstood virtue in the world. Love does not mean that there are no limits. Any father who truly loves his children brings discipline into their life when they are out of line. To not do so would be the opposite of love. When willful sin is evident in the Christian s life, notice that two things ought to be understood about judgment: First, it can be EXPECTED. v. 30 For we know Him who said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge His people. When you sin against God, He will always bring an element of discipline and judgment into your life. It may be as simple as reaping what you sow. That is, part of His discipline involves the fallout associated with disobedience. Or, it may be as serious as God taking your life. 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death.
The Bible says that willful sin can be so serious in the life of a believer that he or she may even cross a line which results in premature death. I am of the conviction that this was true of Ananias and Sapphira. So serious was their sin of lying to the Holy Spirit that it resulted in both of them instantly dying before the Lord. Again, Paul s words to the Corinthian church indicated that many of them were already sleeping because of the way they treated the Lord s Supper. A Christian who willfully sins against God can expect severe discipline. The Lord WILL judge His people. And before judgment comes to the rest of the world, Peter says that judgment must first begin with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Second, it is to be FEARED. v. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The God who is love is also the God who is holy. It is not either/or; it is both/and. He is both love AND holy. When we cross His red line, it doesn t take Him a month to decide whether or not He will take action. He always takes the appropriate action, always at the right time, always for the right reason and it is a FEARFUL thing to fall into His hands. I m afraid that we have lost an appropriate understanding of the fear of God within the church of our day. Fear of God awesome, holy respect that results in worship The Lord judges His people, and it is a fearful thing to fall into His hands. Warren Wiersbe God does not always take the life of a rebellious believer, but He always deals with him What should a believer do who has drifted away into spiritual doubt and is deliberately despising God s Word? He should turn to God for mercy and forgiveness. There is no other sacrifice for sin, but the sacrifice Christ made is sufficient for all our sins. It is a fearful thing to fall into the Lord s hands for chastening, but it is a wonderful thing to fall into His hands for cleansing and restoration. David acknowledged this when he willfully sinned by numbering the people. Given a choice as to what discipline he would receive, he said: 1 Chronicles 21:13 I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great.