Fearful Expectation of Judgment

Hebrews 10:26-39

What happens if a Christian leaves Christ, never to return? Please listen:

²⁶ For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴ For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ³⁷ For,

“Yet a little while,
    and the coming one will come and will not delay;
³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith,
    and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

This is not about Christians who struggle but grow; who make mistakes but repent and continue to learn and do better. This says, “…if we go on sinning deliberately.”

The prospects are not good at all, if we leave the only Savior; if we abandon the only sacrifice for sin. This is one of the most frightening passages in the New Testament. And it tells me – as I appreciate and adore God for His grace, I must not dismiss His wrath.

The call to action is verse 36 – “for you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

(This is being posted on my 72nd birthday. One of the great blessings I’ve had in my life is the opportunity to share the meaning of God’s Word and urge people to do the will of God, as I accept the challenge myself. Thanks for reading this blog.)