Willful Sin is a Fearful Thing 1

Hebrews 10:26-31

Theme:

Confidence in the Sacrifice of Christ enables us to respond to God with joyful obedience issuing into a holy life of faith. But God also warns us against the fearful consequences of sinning willfully—drawing back and forsaking faith in Christ; such behavior will be met with God's fiery anger. 

Introduction:

While we all love good news and long to read positive affirming stories, sometimes we need the unwelcome truth. A wake up call…a reality check. Because Christians can get themselves sideways with God, His corrective and chastening role is so necessary to help us see the error of our ways and get back on track. For some reason subjects like divine anger and chastening never seem to top the best seller lists. In fact, to say anything negative these days is automatically regarded as unhelpful and untrue. After all only positive affirming messages are true…right? Beloved, beware!

There is an alarming trend of young people growing up believing in God who eventually quit the Christian Faith.  Yes, they become ex-Christians! Living for God for a few years and then quitting is a regrettable pattern among young adults of 35 years and under. For whatever reason, they walk away from Christ, the church, and the Bible. Some of these “no longer believe all that stuff about God and Jesus.” They now deem Christ and His gospel to be a lie. 

If you belong to the school of thought that says, 'real believers cannot walk away from God or forsake the Christian Faith, or renounce their previous belief in Jesus,' then I must respectfully disagree with your position. While anyone is free to believe what they want, not every belief is true or lines up squarely with the Scriptures. God in His grace has brought me to the place where I believe real believers, who are indwelt by the Spirit of God, can indeed make serious errors in belief, actions, judgment, and claims. They can sin willfully, commit apostasy, or rebel.

By definition apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief. Apostasy in Christianity is the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a professing Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") literally meaning “to stand away from” according to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. By extension the idea portrayed is defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. Apostasy may involve a general insensitivity to moral purity, departures from doctrinal orthodoxy—embracing deceptions, or the sanctioning of certain unethical practises and behaviors—ultimately forsaking God’s Word. It has been correctly characterized as a “willful falling away” from, or rebellion against, Christ and the true Christian Faith. 

Well, God addressed believers in the book of Hebrews who were tempted to do this very thing to one degree or another. God warns against falling away due to an "evil heart of unbelief" (Heb. 3:12) and how it is impossible to renew these to repentance if they persist in their rebellion (Heb. 6:6). Actually, God issues one of the strongest warnings in the entire New Testament here in Hebrews chapter ten. I think our generation greatly needs this type of strong admonition.

In some ways this warning section is the most pointed and stern of all. It is also climactic. It follows the completion of the epistle’s exposition of the high priestly role and service of Jesus Christ, so it gathers up the implications of these truths and drives them home with full force. But as usual, the writer mingled a solemn warning with his words of consolation and encouragement. —Walvoord, John F.

Outline:

Warnings of Judgment for those Defecting from the Christian Faith (Hebrews 10:26-31).

I.                 There is no Other Sacrifice for Christian Defectors to turn to (10:26)

II.               There is a Fearful Expectation of  God’s Fiery Judgment (10:27)

III.             They Deserve a Worst Punishment for Forsaking a Greater Covenant (10:28-31)

Study:

To “sin willfully” (Heb. 10:26) is a more serious offense even than intentional backsliding. How is the concept of willful sinning expanded in verses 27 through 29?

To sin willfully is the sin of apostasy or renouncing one’s faith, hope, and confidence in Christ as the Son of God, Savior and Lord. Such a serious and deliberate sinful act will be met with the flaming anger and severe chastening of Almighty God. God will confront real believers when they defect or renounce their faith. Remember, God only chastens His children; he does not chasten unbelievers (Hebrews 12:1-11). Wrath and eternal condemnation is for unbelievers and not the children of God; God chastens real believers when we stray and these corrective measure may be severe (1Cor. 11:30-32). While under the Law two or three witnesses could condemn an idolater to death, the writer here identifies solid reasons for God's severe treatment of those who sin willfully by forsaking Christ and the New Covenant.

A.    There is NO Other Sacrifice for Christian Defectors to Turn to (Heb. 10:26). But, why is this true?

1.     Because they sin willfully after receiving the truth.

                                          i.     What is the specific sin of verse 26? “If we sin willfully;” can refer to acting obstinately, maliciously, and with despite as is declared in verse 29; but the word does not necessarily require all of this. It should be understood as “willingly,” or free of compulsion or fear or by choice. The circumstance for this specific sin is, “after that we have received the knowledge of the truth.” The “truth,” is the doctrine of the gospel. The word "we" indicates the writer of Hebrews identifies himself with those he is addressing--they are believers. They had “received” Christ's Gospel upon being convinced it was true and they made an outward profession of faith; they confessed Christ as Savior.

                                        ii.     This word "received" is not used anywhere to express the mere conceptions of truth, but instead it denotes an acknowledgment of truth based on some sense of its power and excellency. Thus the description of the willful sinners--they should know better, yet they are a defector. The gospel had been preached to them; they were under conviction of its truth, and they sensed its power, had publicly professed faith. Therefore to sin willfully is to repudiate Christ or to commit apostasy. It is the sin of renouncing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ after having been convinced of its veracity and power previously.

                                      iii.     “If we sin willfully,” as verse 23 shows, a concern with the danger of defection from the faith. Most sin is deliberate, but the writer was here influenced by the Old Testament’s teaching about sins of presumption (Num. 15:29-31) which lay outside the sacrificial provisions of the Law. There was no sacrifice for these type sins; the death sentence was the only provision.  

                                      iv.     Note they had “received the knowledge of the truth.” The word “knowledge” refers to a precise and correct knowledge and not merely a shallow historical notion about the Truth (Rom. 1:28; 1Tim. 2:4). This is a living believing knowledge that lays hold of a person and brings him into union—experiential knowledge. Thus to commit this deliberate sin and reject this knowledge after being fully informed by the Holy Spirit about the New Covenant and its implications is to sin with your eyes wide open.

                                        v.     Apostasy from the faith is such a “willful” act and for those who commit it no more sacrifice for sins is left (Heb. 10:18). Only the expectation of divine judgment. Such a position demands divine chastening of the severest nature; that is the point we must not overlook here. 

2.     Because Christ’s sacrifice is the only effective sacrifice the defector needs.

                                          i.     Under the Old Covenant, there were no sacrifices for deliberate and willful sins (Ex. 21:12–14; Num. 15:27–31). Presumptuous sinners who despised Moses’ Law and broke it were executed (Deut. 17:1–7). This explains why David prayed as he did in Psalm 51. Because he deliberately sinned “with a high hand,” he should have been slain; but he cried out for God’s mercy. David knew that even a multitude of sacrifices could not save him. All he could offer was the sacrifice of a broken heart (Ps. 51:16–17).—Warren W. Wiersbe 

                                        ii.     If the efficacious sacrifice of Christ was renounced, there remains no other available or effective sacrifice which could shield an apostate from God’s judgment and red-hot fiery anger. A Christian who turns his back on the Lord Jesus has no other hope—no, nothing but the guarantee of terror and horror! While a real believer can never finally end up in Hell, the severe corrective measures of God upon His rebellious children are nothing to be easily dismissed. 

                                      iii.     For such a person, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. If the defector decisively rejects the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, he has no other options. As God dealt with OT defectors, he will likewise confront NT defectors. The death penalty was God's strategy in the OT and physical death is His prerogative in the NT era also. Therefore God reserves this option for dealing with those who sin willfully. Apostasy, a willful sin, is an extraordinarily serious sin against God.

B.    There is a Fearful Expectation of God’s Anger and Fiery Judgment (Heb. 10:27-29).

1.     God’s judgment will consume His adversaries (Heb. 10:27).

                                          i.     A Christian who abandons his confidence in Christ (Heb. 3:14) puts himself on the side of God’s enemies. The writer has already said they were in effect crucifying the Son of God all over again and exposing Him to public disgrace (Heb. 6:6). Such reprehensible conduct can scarcely be worthy of anything but God’s flaming indignation and chastening.

                                        ii.     Nothing remains but a certain fearful expectation of judgment; there is no hope of escape. Beloved, this is pure horror! Such individuals have no reason to feel safe and secure. It is one thing to have an incredible warrior or known killer hounding your every step, but it must be extremely terrifying facing each day wondering what horrors will befall you and those you love. How will God visit such persons with judgment? God will confront and deal severely with defectors, quitters, and apostates. They will literally greet each day with extreme dread. Remember, they willingly chose this course of action, and now they must live with the consequences of this wrong decision. Their lives would be drained completely of all prospects of happiness and the most hopeless form of despair would become their daily bread. 

2.     God’s judgment under the Law was without mercy (Heb. 10:28).

                                          i.     Because they “despised Moses’ Law” (28).

1.     Under the Old Covenant, if an Israelite spurned the Mosaic Law he was put to death. 

2.     Such Law-breakers were considered idolaters and died without mercy.   

                                        ii.     Because their sin was confirmed (28).

1.     When one’s guilt was proven by the testimony of two or three witnesses (Deut. 17:2–6), he was put to death by stoning.

2.     At least two or three witnesses were required to verify his actions of deliberate sin.

3.     This being true, the writer then is arguing from the lesser to the greater.

                                      iii.     Because despising Christ is a greater sin!

1.     It is confirmed that certain destruction will befall apostates who have repudiated Christ and His sacrifice.

2.     “Under the Old Covenant, if an Israelite spurned the Mosaic Law and at least two or three witnesses verified his actions, he was put to death. This being true, the author then argued from the lesser to the greater. If defiance of an inferior covenant could bring such retribution, what about defiance of the New Covenant which, as he had made clear, is far superior? The answer can only be that the punishment would be substantially greater in such a case.”—Walvoord and Zuck

3.     God’s judgment under Christ’s Grace is even more severe (Heb. 10:29). But Why?

                                          i.     Because defection from a greater covenant demands greater punishment (29).

1.     If defiance of an inferior covenant could bring such retribution, what about defiance of the far superior New Covenant? The answer can only be that the punishment would be substantially greater in such a case.

2.     What can this kind of a Christian expect from God? He can expect severe discipline. (Chastening is the theme of Heb. 12.) There is no need to “water down” words such as “judgment and fiery indignation” (Heb. 10:27), or “sorer punishment” (Heb. 10:29). We have already seen from the history of Israel that hardly anybody who was saved out of Egypt by the blood of the lamb entered into the promised inheritance. Nearly all of them died in the wilderness. “There is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). Some of the Corinthian believers were disciplined and their lives taken because of their presumptuous sins (1 Cor. 11:30, where “sleep” means “died”). –W. W. Wiersbe

                                        ii.     Because they have renounced Jesus as the Son of God, Savior and Lord (29).

1.     The writer now places defection from the faith in the harshest possible light. An apostate from the New Covenant hath trodden [trampled] underfoot the Son of God.

2.     The defector brazenly asserts that he wants nothing more to do with Christ. He denies any need for Christ as Savior and positively rejects Him as the Son of God.

3.     In Japan there is a crucifix which was used by the government in days of persecution. It was placed on the ground, and everybody had to tread on the face of the Crucified. The non-Christians did not hesitate to tread on His face; the real Christians refused and were killed. The story goes that the face of Jesus was worn down and marred by people trampling on it.—MacDonald 

                                      iii.     Because they regard Christ blood-sacrifice and the New Covenant as of no holy value or ultimate spiritual significance (29).

1.     An apostate has treated the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing (“blood of the everlasting [eternal] covenant,” 13:20). Christ blood which sanctified him is regarded as common blood. The words “sanctified” refer to true Christians. Already Paul has described them as “sanctified [made holy] through the offering [sacrifice] of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10) and as “perfected [made perfect] forever” through this sanctifying work (v. 14).

2.     The writer of Hebrews essential point lies in the seriousness of the act of apostasy. To treat “the blood of the covenant” (which actually sanctifies believers) as though it were an “unholy” (“common”) thing and to renounce its efficacy, is to commit a sin so heinous that it dwarfs the death sentence of the Old Covenant.

                                      iv.     Because they insult the Spirit of grace who pointed them to Christ (29).

1.     Then the apostate adds the offense of doing despite unto the Spirit of grace who originally wooed him to faith in Christ.

2.     The Spirit of God had illuminated him concerning the good news, convicted him of sin, and pointed him to Christ as the only Refuge of the soul. But he now insults the gracious Spirit by utterly despising Him and the truth He offered.

This kind of spiritual rebellion clearly calls for a much worse punishment than the capital penalty that was inflicted under the Mosaic Law. But again Paul was not referring to hell. Many forms of divine chastening can fall on a human life which is worse than immediate death. In fact, Jeremiah made just such a complaint about the punishment inflicted on Jerusalem (Lam. 4:6, 9). One might think also of King Saul, whose last days were burdened with such mental and emotional turmoil that death itself was a kind of release. This is just the opposite of the exhortation given in Hebrews 10:19–25! Instead of having a bold profession of faith, hope, and love, a backslidden believer so lives that his actions and attitudes bring disgrace to the name of Christ and the church.—Warren W.  Wiersbe

Many supposed Christians walk away from Christ claiming they no longer believe such fairy tales. Some claim they woke up to the reality that Christianity is not true, some because of social pressures forsake the Lord Jesus believing truth is no longer relevant, and yet others because of a fear that “faith” will cost them professionally or economically forsake the Lord. They all quit, stop believing, and refuse the biblical truth about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. They use to pray; they once attended church regularly; they read the Bible frequently; they use to gather with other Christians for fellowship; they were once among those who shared their faith with others…but not anymore.

Perhaps they believed a few lies along the way also….Maybe they thought being a Christian shields us from pain and suffering. Perhaps they expected perfect health, plenty of wealth, and happy days for the remainder of their lives. It could be they assumed persecution was a thing of the past and not for today. You know it could also be they simply allowed themselves to drift farther and farther from God that they do not now know what they believe anymore…and they don’t care either. Maybe…perhaps…it could be they are angry with God and in their pain chose to deny Him as an intellectual impossibility. Whatever the reason…whatever the cause…people who said they believe the Gospel have walked away from Christ.

My question is not so much why…my question is how…. Yes, how will you now deal with the reality of God’s fiery anger against your apostasy and defection? Can you ever really feel safe and secure again? Where will you turn now that you have firmly planted your feet on air? How will you decide what is real, right, wrong, meaningful, and good? Are you ready to assume the responsibility of being god? How will you create or guarantee hope for your future? What about those you love? What about the utter guilt haunting your soul…you cannot escape the throbbing ache of unrelenting indictments within…how will you silence so many voices? What will you do to halt the torture and torment of your own agitated mind and strained emotions?

I want you to know God is forgiving, and he does restore sinning believers when we have wandered far from Him and His plan for us. It’s time to come back my friend (1John 1:7-9). The consequences of forsaking Jesus Christ are too numerous to delineate and the agony of forgiven sins is something to be dreaded. Forgiveness from God is great, but you still must live with the problems your backslidding created. He will graciously help you work through those painful developments, but you need to return to Him acknowledging your sin, embracing the truth, and submitting to His will. Forsake your sin and get right with God. If you were never actually saved, then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all your faith. Trust Him for the forgiveness of sins. Instead of making things worse by continuing in your rebellion, come back home to Jesus Christ the Savior today.