Remember God's Grace Published week of May 10, 2020
Have you ever tried to describe God to a small child? Trying to describe God may involve much superlative language which still at best will fall short of who He truly is and what He is like.
Unfortunately, many people have a one-sided and incorrect idea of God’s character. In Hebrews 10:26-27 we have a passage where we see a side of God that we often choose not to ponder. God is giving us a glimpse at the depth of His hatred of sin in these verses.
Notice the strong warning before us in this text. The writer flatly says, 'do not continue to sin after receiving the truth.' People who do so are considered God’s adversaries or even more bluntly, they are God's enemies. There is no gray area when it comes to a relationship with God. You are either His child, or His enemy (cp. John 3:36). This does not mean that anyone who sins is God’s enemy. The phrase “if we sin wilfully” refers to a habitual lifestyle of sin. Then verse 26 goes on to say that anyone who continues in a lifestyle of sin after receiving the truth will reap the punishment for his sin.
It is a very humbling thought if we think about the reality of these verses, not only for our own life, but also for the lives of people around us. After all, the eternal judgment of hell is not a subjective truth we like to think about. As Christians, we must force ourselves to remember the cost of sin. Many of us are content to know that our sins have been forgiven. We have forgotten that hell is a reality for the billions of people who have not placed their faith in Christ. We have forgotten that we used to be God’s enemies. We have forgotten why He saved us.
God’s grace is not meant to be selfishly hoarded. It is not a “get out of hell free” card. God’s grace is meant to be multiplied, to be shared each and every day that Christ grants us another breath. Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your grace and mercy. I acknowledge that I deserve an eternity in hell but I thank You for saving me by Your grace. When I pause to consider the reality of Your hatred of sin, my heart is burdened for those who have rejected Your truth. I desire to be used by You today to bring sinners to your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the know-ledge 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.