NOTE TO READER: Many of the scriptures in this article were not written out for sake of space but should be read where and when they are referenced. It is the spirit that quickens, the Word is spirit and truth, so without reading those references one would not have the complete answer of peace from the spirit in truth.

Hebrews 10:26-31

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth 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 ye, 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 belongeth 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.

  An important principle to keep in mind when studying any topic in the Word is: God has never changed (Malachi 3:6)! In James 1:17  it says…there is no variableness or shadow of turning… with our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever,  (Hebrews13:8)!  So… with this in mind, how is Hebrews 10:26 through 31 consistent with the grace and mercy nature of our Father as revealed in and by His Son our Savior Jesus?

  We should get some background to see clearly the point that is being made in those verses (I recommend we begin by reading Hebrews 8:1 to 10:25).  The following verses will give us the information that will serve as background we need to have a clear understanding.

  8:1 tells us that what we are about to read (chapters 8 to 11) is a summary of the first 7 chapters.  Below are some major points in that summary to help us see the context of 10:26-31.

  8:6 Jesus is a mediator of a better covenant established on better promises (not just a physical priest with animal sacrifices).

  8:12 “…I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I no more remember…” an important prophecy that is fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus, the lamb of God, without spot or blemish.

  9:1-12 shows the ‘better’ of 8:6; Jesus is a priest but of a spiritual order one that would not just atone (cover) but remit (take or send away) our sins forever: ETERNAL REDEMPTION!

  9:14 the old sacrifices of animals could not ‘purge your conscience’ only cover (atone) until Jesus would come.

  9:26 Jesus was offered ONE TIME to take away (remit) sin not just cover it up.

9:28 when we first see Jesus he is on the cross bearing our sins, showing his separation from God (Psalms 16, 22; Deuteronomy 21:22-23 etc.)  as our substitute (2Corinthians 5:21, 1Pet.2:24a, Isa.53:4,5, etc.), but when we see him the second time he is resurrected from the judgment, without any sin (Acts 2:24,27,31;  Isa. 53:10-12; etc.), the first born from the dead! (Revelation 1:5; Col.1:18, etc.)

  10:1-3 the animal sacrifices never perfected anyone.  They were still conscious of their sins; that’s why each year a sacrifice was made on the Day of Atonement (covering). This was a testimony to man that the issue of “sin” had not been resolved between God and man.

  10:4-18 when Jesus came to do the will of his Father it showed that it wasn’t God’s will to have all these sacrifices (Psalms 51:16,17; 40:6; 107:21,22; Proverbs 21:3, etc.).  They could never take away sin – it was “…a soul for a soul..” – not an animal for a man!  But a man without spot or blemish (no sin, Hebrews 4:15), Jesus was this man!  He took all of our sin upon himself and bore the judgment that you and I would have to bear if we died in our sin!  (2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:5,10 etc.) However, this ‘man’ Jesus, when the judgment was satisfied he raised up (1Corinthians 15:3,4,12-17, etc.).  If Jesus had died for his own sins he would still be in hell, but his resurrection proves it was our sins that he died for!  No more judgment against us who believe (Romans 8:1, etc.), we have been set apart (sanctified) forever through receiving the salvation in Jesus!  He was the first and last offering necessary to redeem man from sin.  Through the new birth the spiritual part (the new man Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10, etc.) is sealed from ever being corrupted (Ephesians 1:13;4:30; 1Peter 1:23; John 3:15,16; 10:27,28, etc.). There is NO MORE SACRIFICE that can be offered if we sin – it was taken care of, once and for all through Jesus. If it was not enough he would have to be offered over and over, Hebrews 9:26. It was prophesied in the Old Testament and the Spirit of our Father dwelling in us bears witness that; “…where the remission of these (our sin) is there is no more offering for sin” and that our Father will never bring them up again to judge or condemn us.

  10:19-25 the spirit, through the writer of Hebrews, is telling us that we are delivered from sin and we do not have to walk in sin any more (read Rom. 6 through 8 which is making the same point with more details, tailored to a different group of saints). What kept us separated from God was the ‘flesh’. Jesus removed that veil of flesh through his sacrifice. Now, we through belief are one with the Father, as Jesus is one with the Father, through the spirit (John 17:20-22). We through the spirit are not subject to the flesh (Romans 6:9-13). We should encourage one another to do good works not sin.

   With this foundation laid 10:26 becomes clear….and if we sin there is no offering or sacrifice that we can offer or any that is required; for that sin was paid for in Jesus, “…the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world…”

The only thing we can do when we sin is to repent (change our mind) and receive the forgiveness that was provided in Jesus‘ sacrifice of himself and his resurrection.  We can offer nothing else.

  If we choose to sin the only fruit that it produces is the same it produces in an unsaved person; feelings of fear, condemnation, and judgement – it does not, however, come from God.  We, through that sin, open ourself to the devil, and that is the only fruit that he has to give.

  God established the ‘law‘ of sowing and reaping at creation (spiritually and physically), this law is still in effect today, it was not done away with after the resurrection of Jesus   (See Genesis 2:15-18; Galatians 5:16-25; 6:7,8; Romans 8:5-7).  Under the Law of Moses man was to execute the ‘fruit’ of breaking the law, not God.  If there was not a man to execute the judgement the offender would eventually reap what they sowed ( Proverbs 26:2; Ecclesiastes 8:ll; Psalms 109:17; Deuteronomy 28:15,45; Job 4:8; Romans 2:,14,15; etc.).  Just look at the people from the time of Adam to the Law. Did all those spoken of in Hebrews 10:28 go to Hell when they died?  NO!  Look again at those who died in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Read Numbers 14, 16, 17, 21, and Deuteronomy 8; most all of them had accepted God’s way of salvation and were saved, but they refused to go into the land because of their fear and unbelief, which sowed unto themselves seeds of death.  Did they all go to Hell?  NO!  They just opened themselves up to the devil and lost their physical life on earth.  Those who had accepted God’s way of salvation went immediately to Paradise, those who rejected it went into the lowest hell, not God’s choosing but theirs. This example, of God’s people choosing to walk after their carnal desires instead of God’s blessing, is recorded over and over throughout the bible.  They are written for us to learn from not to cause fear or condemnation.

  This same point is being made in Hebrews 10:26-31.  It’s talking about reaping the consequences of walking in the flesh (to be carnally minded IS death, Romans 8:6). When we as a saved person yield to sin we become it’s servant and sin leads to death (physical).  James 1:13-15 and Romans 6:15-23 is written to believers/saved people.  The same point is written in 2 Peter 2:20-22.  Under the old covenant there were consequences for sin, (disobedience to the word of God), which often resulted in the destruction of their flesh.  The word of God revealed in laws, statutes, and ordinances, were only types and shadows of the true spiritual things that God used to show or represent his Son and what Jesus would establish and fulfill to and for us as believers, his children.  If those things were so important to God in just types and shadows, and the breaking of them was showing disrespect or dishonor to his Son that would come, how much more now that Jesus has come.  We as believers have been given authority and power to refuse sin and honor what God has done for us in Christ.  Once your eyes are open to truth there is responsibility to walk in it.  By not walking in it we are actually submitting ourselves to the devil, which brings destruction of one kind or another (Romans 6:16).  God does not withdraw his Spirit from his child nor is He bringing destruction upon them: we, through sin, are choosing to walk outside of the safety provided in our status as God’s children.  God is not going to break his own word and violate our free will.  So.. walking in the flesh is a fearful thing, for we are putting our life in the ‘hands’ of the devil by consenting and cooperating with his purposes.

  In conclusion… Is God executing judgement upon his children (saved), even when they willfully sin?  NO! that is not the nature of our loving Father.  There is, however, the law of sowing and reaping, that he established from the beginning, just like gravity, it is still in effect (Galatians 6:7).  Each of those laws can benefit us or hurt us, it’s our choice, not God’s.  There is NO assurance of security from the devil when we walk in the flesh.  There is assurance of security when walking in the Spirit.

  John wrote “… my little children I write these things unto you that you sin not…”  These things are recorded in the word because our Father loves us and wants us to joyfully fulfill our days upon this earth.  Walking in His Spirit is enjoying life to the fullest. Walking after the flesh, in sin, will lead us to destruction, something our Father is helping us to avoid. As you continue reading in Hebrews, chapters 11-12, you will see that is exactly the point he is making and God’s part in helping us to receive it.

  To embrace any other interpretation would not be consistent with our Father’s nature but rather, religious legalism, the very thing the Father sent Jesus to deliver us from.

   There is much that could be added to this, especially on the subject of relationship/fellowship, but truly I believe that this will get the general point across to someone who will read all the references with a willing heart to hear what the spirit is saying. 

Click here for a more in depth teaching on  Hebrews 10:26.

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