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The passage Heb. 10:26-39 starts with a warning – that if we keep on sinning, we can only expect judgment and the wrath of God. “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” (Heb. 10:26, 27). These are very harsh words that seem to cancel out the wonderful encouragements given in the earlier verses in Chapter 10. They give a strong warning to those who “deliberately keep on sinning” for the result will be “a fearful expectation of judgment”. Does this suggest that Christians are unsure of their salvation in Jesus when they stumble and sin? Thankfully, this warning is against the act of deliberately falling away and going against God. These “deliberate sinners” seem to move towards Jesus, believing in salvation, hearing and understanding the gospel and might even be on the verge of saving faith. However, their deliberate sinning shows their rejection of God. Rather than going on to improve their spiritual maturity, they turn their attention to worldly ways and its material desires and turn their backs on godly ways and its spiritual ambitions.
As Christians we do fall into sin that interferes in our fellowship with God. We might even stray away from Him. Thankfully, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). A “born again” Christian will eventually come back in repentance because the Holy Spirit would convict him of sin and draw him back to God. On the other hand, those who continue to sin deliberately, having knowledge of God’s truth but without daily Spirit-filled living will face “a fearful expectation of judgment” despite all that they know. Hence, if Jesus’ sacrifice for sins is rejected, all hope of experiencing God’s salvation is gone.
As we study the Bible and learn the truth, let us pray that God will soften our hearts. Let us not only hear God but obey Him in love. We continue to persevere in obeying our Father. We put our confidence in Him and in the promises of His rich rewards. Let us just keep swimming and keep believing against the worldly current and worldly ways and look forward to God’s reward!
