26/ If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins
27/ but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.
If we sin deliberately: verse 29 indicates that the author is here thinking of apostasy; cf Hebrews 3:12; 6:4-8.
The exhortations against apostacy and to perseverance, are urged by many strong reasons. The sin here mentioned is a total and final falling away, when men, with a full and fixed will and resolution, despise and reject Christ, the only Saviour; despise and resist the Spirit, the only Sanctifier; and despise and renounce the gospel, the only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life.
Of this destruction God gives some notorious sinners, while on earth, a fearful foreboding in their consciences, with despair of being able to endure or to escape it. But what punishment can be sorer than to die without mercy? We answer, to die by mercy, by the mercy and grace which they have despised. How dreadful is the case, when not only the justice of God, but his abused grace and mercy call for vengeance! All this does not in the least mean that any souls who sorrow for sin will be shut out from mercy, or that any will be refused the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, who are willing to accept these blessings. Him that cometh unto Christ, he will in no wise cast out.
Throughout history, many have sold their inheritance, traded in the soul that belongs to *GOD*, to be compensated in their mortal lives, instead of enduring, and persevering! These days are no different, as we witness people turning from THE LORD in favour of personal gain, human precepts, and other criteria that works, ultimately, against them, though they are not interested in what is to come, only in the now...
There are those that believe once saved, always saved, but, really? I mean, apostasy is the WILLFUL FALLING AWAY from, or REBELLION against, CHRISTIAN TRUTH. Apostasy is the REJECTION OF CHRIST by one who has been a Christian...
HEBREWS 10: 29...
Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?
We are warned to remain vigilant for the devil is roaming around like a lion looking for prey, BECAUSE EVERY weakness HAS the POTENTIAL to take us from our standing in THE LORD! It is HIGHLY unlikely, even illogical, that IF a person sells their soul, for self-gain, and for worse reasons, and then, does detestable things in the sight of THE LORD, that they are yet saved! Back in the days of the ancients, when someone defied *GOD*, and began worshiping other gods, or idols, that person was lost, and in some instances today, given the things that those falling away are doing, how could it be that they would remain saved???
Salvation is part of a COVENANT; a COVENANT is TWO-sided; *GOD* HAS fulfilled HIS side, this leaves our fulfillment, which involves conformed ALLEGIANCE TO HIM, and HIS WILL...
Some sins are forgivable, some are not going to be forgiven, and rejecting CHRIST as THE LORD, is one such sin! What would be the point in saying that someone who rejects HIM is saved by HIM? After all, THEY MADE THEIR CHOICE, AFTER they had accepted HIM...
In this world, where there is extreme poverty, and suffering, such people are prey for the wicked workers of inequity to devour with enticement, and promises that are short-lived! A person who has never had a cent to their name, who has dreams unfulfilled, or other issues, and is offered cold cash to turn away from their beliefs, IS going to be tempted intensely, and some will NOT be able to resist, since it SEEMS that their problems will disappear, though, that is more nonsense; so they trade in the promise of the future for satisfaction in this time. It breaks my heart, but such is the way it is, for many...
HEBREWS 12: 25-27...
25/ See that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much more in our case if we turn away from the one who warns from heaven.
26/ His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, "I will once more shake not only earth but heaven."
27/ That phrase, "once more," points to (the) removal of shaken, created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.
Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant, between God and man, to bring them together in this covenant; to keep them together; to plead with God for us, and to plead with us for God; and at length to bring God and his people together in heaven. This covenant is made firm by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, as the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled upon the altar and the victim. This blood of Christ speaks in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, but for mercy.
See then that you refuse not his gracious call and offered salvation. See that you do not refuse Him who speaketh from heaven, with infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who turn from God in unbelief or apostasy, while he so graciously beseeches them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting favour!
God's dealing with men under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us, that he will deal with the despisers of the gospel, in a way of judgment. We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godly fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God aright. God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers is secured to them; and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer. Let us seek for grace, that we may serve God with reverence and godly fear.
HEBREWS 13: 5-6...
5/ Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
6/ Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
The design of Christ in giving himself for us, is, that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works; and true religion is the strongest bond of friendship. Here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here. Those who cannot be so, would not be content though God raised their condition. Adam was in paradise, yet not contented; some angels in heaven were not contented; but the apostle Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every state, in any state, to be content.
Christians have reason to be contented with their present lot. This promise contains the sum and substance of all the promises; I will never, no, never leave thee, no, never forsake thee. In the original there are no less than five negatives put together, to confirm the promise: the true believer shall have the gracious presence of God with him, in life, at death, and for ever. Men can do nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his people, to turn to their good.
HEBREWS 10: 35-39...
35/ Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.
36/ You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
37/ "For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay.
38/ But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him."
39/ We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.
Let us PRAY for ALL, and let us STAND IN THE LORD, while PRAISING HIM, WORSHIPING HIM, REJOICING IN HIM, and HONOURING HIM with thought, action, and reaction of the knowledge HE HAS GIVEN us... BLESS YOU, take care...
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