The Bible is clear that god does judge His people. To the careless child of God, He sends chastening. This may take the form of weakness, sickness and even death. If the chastening measures are ignored, God may take such an one away to be judged by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:14 & 15). Never before has there been such a need for a clear, sound setting forth of the responsibilities of grace. The looseness and worldliness of Christians, the lethargy and indifference of professors of Christ, and the results of a one-sided, unbalanced preaching of grace, resulting in a false sense of security. Be not deceived; no Christian can indulge in known or willful sin and get away with it. while the guilt of sin is forever settled for the believer, it is nevertheless a fact that he must bear the consequences of neglect and disobedience. If I as a child of God, in a careless moment get into bad company, engage in a brawl and lose an eye in the scuffle, the Lord will forgive if I truly repent of my sin and confess it to Him, but I have to go through life with only one eye. He forgives, but He does not replace the eye. The scar is there to remind me ever after of the truth that I cannot be disobedient and escape the chastening.

David found it out. What a price he had to pay. Here then is the revelation of the Word. When a sinner comes to Christ in true faith and receives Him as his Lord and Savior, he receives eternal life, the very life of God. But being a child of God places him under the absolute obligation of obedience to his Master. If he obeys, he is rewarded here as well as by and by. If he is disobedient, he will be forgiven if he repents and confesses, but for those who continue in known, willful disobedience, God will apply the rod. Presumptuous, continued disobedience may result in the sin unto death. This sin unto death is judged by the Lord in a variety of ways:

1. By chastening for the rest of one’s life until the day of death.

2. By actual physical death (1 Corinthians 5:5; 11:30).

3. By being taken out of service, and becoming a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).

There are many believers who have to carry the scars of their mistakes and sins until death relieves them. The Bible is also clear that physical sickness and death result from unconfessed, known sin. But the most tragic of all are those who reach a place where God ceases to deal with them and leaves them alone until the Judgment Seat of Christ. For it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance. Like Israel, they are out of Egypt, under the blood, but die in the wilderness, before ever reaching the Canaan of victory, assurance, fruitfulness and blessing.

HEBREWS TEN

The Epistle to the Hebrews contains two sections dealing with this subject of believers sinning willfully and falling short of God’s best for them. The first section, Hebrews Six, (which is another Bible study on this website) we have studied. The second section is Hebrews 10:26 - 39. These two constitute one solemn warning against “falling away” and “sinning willfully.” Both are related to the sin unto death, both have to do with rewards or loss of rewards, and both point to the Judgment Seat of Christ. And between these two grave warnings the Holy Spirit gives us the only defense against the danger of incurring the chastening and judgment of God. Between Hebrews 6 and 10 we have three Chapters; 7, 8 and 9, which give the most complete and exhaustive picture of Jesus Christ, our interceding High Priest in heaven. Our only assurance of not becoming guilty of the error of Hebrews Six and Ten is to avail ourselves of the ministry of the High Priest in heaven, by repentance and confession of our sins, and then to trust Him to “keep us from falling.” There is no excuse for any believer falling into the category of castaways, since we have an adequate High Priest in heaven as set forth in Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of Hebrews. It is failure to avail ourselves of His ministry that causes us to fall. He is our only protection as the author of Hebrews says:

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” [not possession],

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy” [forgiveness], “and find grace to help” [to keep us] “in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14 - 16).

We have a High Priest who is there for two reasons:

1. To forgive and cleanse when we have failed, or to obtain mercy.

2. To keep us from falling again, or to give “grace to help in time of need”.

NOW WILLFUL SINNING

But what about those who have such an High Priest, and such an infallible Helper, and then ignore His services, refuse to avail themselves of His ministry? What about those who with all this knowledge and light, deliberately and willfully live in disobedience to Him? This is taken up in Hebrews 10. We quote at length the passage:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses;

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26 - 31).

What a solemn passage! It makes one tremble to contemplate the dire implications. Who is the writer talking about? The easiest way to get rid of the unpleasant message is to apply it to someone else. And this is the generally accepted interpretation. There are those who say these people were saved but through willful sinning lost their salvation again. This is the Arminian view. The Calvinistic explanation follows the same pattern as that used in explaining Hebrews 6:4 - 6.

WHO ARE ADDRESSED?

Before taking up who is meant by the expression, “fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,” we must determine who the writer is talking to and about. If we err here we shall be wrong all the way. Remember, the most common, popular and almost universally accepted view is that it refers to “professors” of Christ, who had never been born again – Hebrews who had intellectually accepted the truths about Christ, but when persecution arose, went back into Judaism because they had never been saved at all. This interpretation is in direct violation to the plain intention of the chapter.

We would refer you back to the context beginning with verse 19:

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19 & 20).

Every Bible student is agreed that these words are addressed to and refer to “born again believers”. They are called “brethren”, who have access unto the holiest by the new and living way. They are believers. There is no argument here.

“And having an high priest over the house of God;

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:21 & 22).

Again there is no disagreement in interpreting this passage. All are agreed that only born-again believers have an High Priest over the House of God, and only believers are invited to draw near in full assurance. No argument here! We go on.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23 - 25).

No one will deny these words are addressed to believers. They are admonished to “hold fast their profession”. If they were not saved, they would be making a false profession and certainly a hypocrite would not be encouraged to hold fast his “false” profession. Furthermore, they are admonished to good works, to attend the assembly of the saints, to exhort one another in view of the coming of Christ.

Up until now I have heard no objection. All agree that this applies only to genuine, thoroughly converted and truly born-again believers. But now comes the shock in the next verse:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment” (Hebrews 10:26 & 27).

Please notice there is no break in the line of reasoning. It is still speaking of born-again believers and continues without break, “For if we sin wilfully.” By what rule of Bible interpretation, reason or logic can we make this refer to unsaved people, as is done by many scholars and teachers, and dutifully followed and repeated by the students? What right has anyone to say that Hebrews 10:19 - 25 applies to believers and then suddenly at the following verse that it is to be applied to Hebrew professors who are not possessors? The writer includes himself and says, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth...” Whatever our interpretation of the balance of the passage may be, we may be sure it deals with God’s children and constitutes a solemn warning against willful, presumptuous sinning against better light and in the face of clear warning and admonition.

Before rejecting the clear language of the text, re-examine the subject with an open mind. It is exceedingly difficult to abandon traditional interpretations, but our search for truth should never become static, but should go on from strength to strength, for:

“...the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

Prayerfully re-study the subject of how God deals with the sins of the saints. I repeat, the great truth of a loving God who does chasten His children, and the greatly needed preaching of the coming Judgment Seat of Christ is the truth which balances the preaching of free grace, and is the answer to the question: Shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid, for how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?

Remember, the Bible says, “The Lord shall judge His people.” It will not be a judgment of condemnation, but a judgment of correction and receiving of rewards.

GOD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

This verse must be viewed in its context. Before deciding for whom it will be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God, we must read what precedes the verse. It is not a fearful thing for everyone, but only for a certain class. They are described in Hebrews 10:26 - 39.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26).

We are dealing with Christians who deliberately continue in a life of willful, presumptuous disobedience to God. It says definitely “if we”, by which the writer of Hebrews includes himself. It is a sin against better light, for it is willful sin after we have received the knowledge of the truth. It is not dealing with sins of ignorance, or sins of omission or defilement. He is not referring to the case of a believer being “overtaken in a fault” (Galatians 6:1), or yielding to fear or the flesh in a moment of weakness, like Peter (Matthew 26:70). It is instead, deliberate, willful, presumptuous sin against better light, like the sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), and the sin of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10). It is the “sin unto death.”

NO MORE SACRIFICE

For those who continue in known sin:

“...there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26 & 27).

GOD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE

The Lord stands ready to forgive and cleanse His child upon repentance and confession, but if he allows sin to remain unconfessed, God may step in and chasten such an one by the judgment of sickness and weakness (1 Corinthians 11:30) or even death. This judgment is called a fiery indignation, but by this very judgment and fiery indignation the adversary who abetted our temptation and stubborn disobedience is destroyed and his work brought to nought. Instead of giving up His child to the adversary the devil, the Lord chastens His child, and thus robs the adversary of his victim. The judgment and fiery indignation of Hebrews 10:27 does not destroy the impenitent prodigal, but it destroys the adversary’s plan, while it corrects the erring one.

THE OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLE

To illustrate this truth, reference is made to God’s provision for just such a case under the law of Moses. He says:

“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses” (Hebrews 10:28).

This statement furnishes the key to our passage. We are referred to the law of Moses which clearly and unmistakably made known God’s will concerning certain sins: idolatry, profanity, Sabbath-breaking, disrespect of parents, murder, stealing, lying and adultery. These things were strictly forbidden and no Israelite had any excuse if he committed them. For deliberate, presumptuous transgression of these clearly forbidden sins there was no sacrifice provided, but death was the penalty.

The high priest could intercede for any Israelite who committed certain sins. These were of three kinds mentioned in Leviticus chapters four and five. In Leviticus chapters one and two we have God’s provision for the sinner in the Burnt Offering and the Meal Offering, representing the death and resurrection of Christ, and resulting in the third offering, the Peace Offering. The last two of the five offerings in Leviticus chapters four and five are the Sin Offering and the Trespass Offering. These offerings were for the cleansing and forgiveness of sins committed by the children of Israel. There are three classes of sins dealt with, and they are classified as:

1. Sins of Ignorance.

2. Sins of Omission

3. Sins of Defilement

For any of these sins a complete provision was made in the Sin and Trespass Offerings.

SINS OF IGNORANCE

“If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly...and are guilty;

When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the Lord: and the bullock shall be killed before the Lord.

And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood...and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them” (Leviticus 4:2, 13 - 15, 17, 20).

God hath made full provision for sins committed because they did not fully know God’s will.

SINS OF OMISSION

The second provision was for sins of omission.

“And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity” (Leviticus 5:1).

The third sin was the sin of defilement.

“Or if a soul touch any unclean thing...and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty” (Leviticus 5:2).

GOD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE

For these sins provision was made:

“And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the Lord for his sin...and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin” (Leviticus 5:5 & 6).

The Lord has graciously made forgiveness possible for the weaknesses of His children, their mistakes and errors, for their sins of ignorance, sins of omission and defilement. But for the Israelite who deliberately and presumptuously committed sin against the plain revelation of the Lord and continued therein, there was no offering provided. Nowhere in the law was “willful” sin left unpunished. A few Scriptures will make this clear.

“But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die” (Exodus 21:14).

Notice carefully the wording of this sin. It is a presumptuous sin, committed willfully and deliberately with full knowledge and warning of its consequences, and God says, “Take him from mine altar.” The sacrifice on the altar cannot prevent such an one from paying the penalty. The same penalty applied to other presumptuous sins which had plainly been forbidden, such as smiting one’s father or mother, theft, adultery, etc.

This is the law which the writer of Hebrews refers to when he says:

“He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses” (Hebrews 10:28).

And then he applies this to the matter of sinning willfully – not under the law but under grace – and continues:

“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).

HEBREWS

WHO ARE THEY?

Again the all-important question is, Who are these mentioned as treading underfoot the Son of God, and counting the blood of the covenant an unholy thing and having done despite to the Spirit of grace? It is an important question, for either they were unsaved or saved. It must be one or the other. They are said to be “sanctified with the blood of Christ.” Can it be said by any stretch of the imagination that an unconverted sinner has been sanctified by the blood of Christ? But there is more, for verse thirty continues:

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge his people.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30 & 31).

There is no escaping the words, “The Lord shall judge his people.” This is a judgment for willful, deliberate, continued disobedience until God must step in, according to His word and purpose that He will judge His people.

THE FINAL PROOF

But the final argument is in the closing verse of this chapter. Notice carefully the descriptive words. In warning the believer against this danger of becoming a castaway, the writer gives this wise counsel:

“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions;

Partly, whilst you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used” (Hebrews 10:32 & 33).

Here we have the evidence of a true work of grace, the fruits of a real salvation. They had been illuminated; they suffered for their testimony, and even became a gazing stock by reproaches. But there is much more.

“For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance” (Hebrews 10:34).

Is this a description of an unconverted person? Think of it. these folks were not only saved, but were laden with fruit, as the evidence of it. They had compassion on the writer in his bonds, took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and to crown it all, they had the assurance of salvation, for of them it is said:

“Knowing...that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

MATTER OF ASSURANCE

But let us go on, and see the evidence mounting. Listen to this admonition:

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward” (Hebrews 10:35).

Two words are of tremendous importance. They are confidence and reward. It does not read, “cast not away therefore your salvation.” It is not a matter of losing salvation, but losing the assurance. And the danger is losing the reward. But the evidence mounts still more:

“For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise” (reward) (Hebrews 10:36).

The reward will be given at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when Jesus comes. There the work of God’s children will be judged. There faithfulness will be rewarded. The unrepentant disobedient will be dealt with and the castaways shall be saved so as by fire. One passage alone will determine this. Consider again the words of 1 Corinthians 3:12 - 15:

“Now if any man build upon this foundation [that determines salvation] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

It is in view of this Judgment Seat of Christ that the admonition in Hebrews 10 is given. It is a reminder that a reckoning is coming.

“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).

We are to evaluate everything in the light of Christ’s coming. Then nothing else will count, and hence the closing warning:

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).

The warning is against drawing back, instead of pressing on for the crown. This is the impact of the opening warning:

“...if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth...” (Hebrews 10:26a).

This is “drawing back.” Now what is involved in drawing back? Does it mean such an one is lost? Or does it refer to the loss of rewards, and “suffering loss” at Jesus’ coming? The answer is in the final verse. The writer, fearing that some might misinterpret the meaning of “drawing back,” hastens to explain:

“But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).

Here is the final answer. Do not suppose that the believer can draw back unto perdition. He can draw back and invite the judgment of God in sickness, weakness and chastening and even commit the sin unto death, but God cannot go back on His promise, and so we are reminded that “we are not of them that draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Yes, it is possible to draw back, but not unto perdition.

Shall we then sin that grace may abound? Because we are saved by grace, can we then live as we please? Does the Gospel of the grace of God give us a license to sin? Don’t be deceived?

“God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

When a person receives Jesus Christ as Savior, the guilt of sin is removed forever, past, present and future. There is no condemnation for the believer. He has passed from death unto life (John 5:24). But it is possible to neglect this salvation (Hebrews 2:3). He may come short of God’s best for him (Hebrews 4:1). Well may we be reminded, that just because our salvation is free and unearned, our responsibility to “work it out” is all the greater. There will be an accounting, and in the light of this clear revelation let us heed the warning of Colossians 3:23 - 25:

“And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ.

But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

If you have questions or comments about this Bible study or any others on our website,

please contact us using the information below.

GOOD NEWS BIBLE CHURCH

718 Riverspring Dr.

Prentice, WI 54556

(715) 428-2075

gnbc@hotmail.com

www.oocities.org/gnbc_2000