Daily Reading: Hebrews 10
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10.26-27)
Devotional Thought: The author of Hebrews stated the truth pretty plainly in Hebrews 10.26-27. Biblical salvation is not to a “sinning religion.” As a matter of fact, deliberate sins bring “fearful expectation of judgment and raging fire that will consume the enemies of God!” (v. 27, NIV)
In the Old Testament, we find that there are many sacrifices for sin, but there is a type of sin for which there is no sacrifice mentioned: intentional sins. It is assumed that the people of God would not presumptuously and willfully sin. There is no sacrifice for that! That person had only one option as evidenced in the experience of David when he sinned before the Lord: throw himself upon the mercy of God! No amount of sacrificial observance would atone for that sin.
The writer of Hebrews makes a strong statement that carries that same principle forward to even the sacrifice of Jesus! If we deliberately keep on sinning after being saved (receiving the knowledge of the truth), there is no sacrifice left to cover it; even the sacrifice of Christ will not cover such sins. We must do as we did at the first: repent! If we don’t repent (see the message to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3), our lamps will be removed from before the Lord!
As you study the Bible, you will find that God is merciful to the sinner. Even to the saint who falls into sin. But nowhere does the Bible espouse that we are supposed to sin, expected to sin, free to sin, or are bound to sin. God is able to make us victorious over sin.
Prayer: Lord, I know that I am not perfect. I know that I will slip up and stumble. But please help me not to intentionally sin, for that would be an affront to your mercy and an offense to the blood of the covenant. Preserve me blameless, O Lord. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 54:1-7
1 Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
3 Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God.
4 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.
7 You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
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