Short Thoughts for Today

Our Hebrew passage for today is found in Chapter 10 and verses 26-27 where we read, "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE AVERSARIES." Although one could spend a considerable amount of time on these two verses, I will take but a little time to share some "short thoughts".

"Willful sinning" by a child of God is simply a wrong attitude, a misinterpretation of scripture, the result of false teaching, or perhaps the reaping of a hardened heart or the failure to confess sin. In the context of our passage, the believer ought never to think that he can sin willfully in anticipation of offering a sacrifice for that sin. The entire Book of Hebrews extols this truth; Christ died once for sin. He is seated and that work is finished. There remains no sacrifice for sin as the ultimate sacrifice has been offered and accepted; Jesus. The thought that there yet remained a sacrifice for sin would imply that His sacrifice was insufficient. Oh, that a attitude of willful sinning would be far removed from each of us.

But "if we go on sinning willfully", we should expect judgment. Judgment and discipline. I will not make the mistake of trying to proclaim the manner in which His judgment will come or just how He will discipline His child. But that He chastens and scourges His children is indisputable. We may not understand how love and judgment, grace and discipline and mercy and scourging can be perfectly accomplished or carried out in the life of a believer. But He is able to do so flawlessly.

Make no mistake, in our struggle with sin, I believe He wishes to speak to us as a loving Father to His child, accepting our confession of sin. And when necessary, He graciously works as only He can to bring us to a place of Godly sorrow that leads us to repentance and restoration. But for continued willful sinning, His judgment is sure.