Lesson 581

(Lesson 581)(03-20-13) Hebrews 10:26-39, "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. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

The text of this lesson, over time, has been grossly misunderstood and incorrectly taught by many who hold the belief that a true believer may again become subject to eternal judgment for their "sins of the flesh".

This lesson clearly establishes that only those who reject the saving grace of God, through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, are at risk of that final judgment. The author says, "Now the just shall live by faith", this means that those whose faith is absolute, will have no need to even acknowledge "sins of the flesh" so far as those sins concern the condition of the eternal soul. This fact is confirmed by the last statement in this lesson, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." In truth, a genuinely reborn child of God does NOT and CANNOT "willfully sin"!
The author, comparing the punishment of those who disobeyed Moses' law to those who denied and crucified Christ, says, "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?" This passage very clearly establishes that the author is referring to those who reject the testament of Jesus outright, as opposed to those who commit "sins of the flesh".

Though this statement speaks to "sinners", it is clearly referring to those who, "who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing."

The punishment promised herein applies ONLY to those who have rejected Christ.~