Written by Paul Lane
The Word
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.
Hebrews 10:26-31 (ESV)
Reflection
It is indeed a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. I remember my father, and how it was a fearful thing to wait for him to come home if I had done something bad that day. Let’s just say that it happened often enough to leave a mark. Death would have been easier. Though afterward the night passed just fine, and the next day was even more new that the previous day.
But what do you think of the first sentence in this passage? “…if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth….” I must confess, even today, if I sin, that is, when I sin, it is usually done quite deliberately. Though I do not seek to be a sinner, I do still run afoul of the truth and God’s intent for my life. So, clearly this passage is calling me out. Yes, I have received Christ as my Lord and Savior. Yes, I have come to know the truth and have been set free. But, yes, I have still sinned deliberately. So, there remains no sacrifice for me. Is that right? Perhaps, I should have gotten all of the sinning out of my life before I came to know Christ.
No, that is not right. There is no need to clear the house before the maid comes, but it is deeply counter productive to continue to dirty the house while the maid cleans. Also, if you intend to have a clean house, you will put an effort toward living in such a way that it tends to stay clean. So, when we sin deliberately, we are dirtying the house while it is being cleaned, which frustrates the efforts of the one cleaning it. So, as long as the efforts to clean are being frustrated, there is no hope for a clean house. Repentance is needed here.
Application
I ran across the story of Bishop W. C. Martin and his wife, First Lady Donna Martin. They pastor a church in the small town of Possum Trot, Texas. The town was so poor that the food bank had to close. When they discovered that the foster system for kids was broken, they encouraged their church to help fix it. If I have the numbers right, 22 families in their church adopted 77 kids out of the foster care system, the Bishop and his wife took on the ones that were most difficult to place. As a result, the foster system had no kids available for adoption at one point.
I am impressed by this story for a number of reasons, but here are two. First, Bishop Martin emphasizes the work of adoption is a work of patience. These kids, a bit like us, have been damaged in so many ways. So, it will take some time for the love to sink in. Such a bruised reed God will not strike down. Yes, one may sin, but love is still in the fight for your heart and soul. Second, the effort the church made, was done out of the gifts that God put in the people, and not out of their material wealth. They had no material wealth.
You are wonderfully made, but damaged. Let the love of God adopt you and bring you into right relationship with Him. Lean forward into God and let the past fall away, and this warning about deliberate sin will not be an issue for you. God is able to keep the things that he saves.
Prayer
Pray Lord that I might touch Your hand with my heart.
Pray Lord that I might see Your face with my soul.
Give Oh Lord Your grace to me, that now gives life abundantly,
Thank Oh Lord I here do pray, forgiveness of sins now washed away.
Amen.
City Life Starter 
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