The author of Hebrews writes, "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? For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:29-31). This, of course, doesn't compute in the minds of people with a dim view of God. They argue that God's Word isn't trustworthy, that He got it wrong or just couldn't get it straight. They argue that God is no danger; He's a loving God. He won't harm us. They argue that Jesus did not die for our sins. So it doesn't seem to them a terrifying thing.
Of course, the author of Hebrews has a specific idea of those who have "trampled under foot the Son of God." After urging believers to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:22) and to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb 10:24-25), he warns of those who "go on sinning deliberately" because "after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Heb 10:26). This is the group of people the author of Hebrews is warning. They've received the knowledge of truth and ignored it. They know what God says and discard it. They go on sinning deliberately. The word there is interesting. It means "voluntarily." It's the idea that "I know it's sin and I volunteer to do it!"
Those who love Christ work hard to avoid sin. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Cause and effect. John wrote, "No one who is born of God makes a practice of sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9). No, we don't arrive at sinlessness this side of heaven (1 John 1:8-10; 1 John 2:1-2), but the notion of deliberately sinning is an unpleasant thought. Yes, there is the fear of falling into the hands of an angry God, but it is also the fear of violating the God we love. And, it's ironic, isn't it? It's a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, but it's also a terrifying thing to fall out. For those intent on sin, there is no more terrifying place to be than in the hands of an angry God. For those who love God, there is no safer place to be than in the hands of a loving God.
3 comments:
Yet another example of how not fully understanding the character of God leads to a much lower view of Him and a much higher view of us.
These are convicting words for this Lord’s Day--but also encouraging ones. Just as we can intentionally sin--and suffer the consequences--we also can choose obedience--and deepen our fellowship with Jesus. One choice incurs God’s wrath; the other brings great joy and a fruitful life.
Very specific results for people who make light of the actual atoning power of Christ's blood being shed. It's almost like someone thinks that the shedding on blood is necessary, and those who don't take that seriously might have problems.
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