Discuss Hebrews 10 Page 13

Hebrews 10:22-24 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 13:15-16 By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Adam,

I agree with most of what you say. "Shall we continues to sin that grace may abound? God forbid!" And, yes. Progressives want to cherry pick, redefine reality and justify sinful behavior.

Remember, though, that although written by some 40 different authors across 1500 years, there is ONE timeless Author. The Bible CANNOT support opposing views as being true. The writer of Hebrews was addressing Hebrew believers who were being tempted to return to the old sacrificial system. He was arguing that Jesus was better than angels, better hope, better covenant, better promises, better sacrifice.

In Hebrews 6:4, he is warning about Jewish people going back to the old system. There is no sacrifice for sin there. Jesus' sacrifice is better. The ones that did leave and go back were never really saved to begin with. That's why he says in vs 9, although I'm talking like this, in your case I'm confident of better things about your salvation. Gotta read the whole passage.

In Hebrews 10:26, he's again saying that in the old sacrifice systems, "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." The Law was an instrument of judgement and death. There's no hope in The Law! Our only hope is in Jesus Christ!

Anyhow, I think that we are in agreement about much more than you think.

Selective focus and cherrypicking seems to be the common root of the argument for once saved always saved. Otherwise, scripture clearly refutes that through so many scriptures, like Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 6:4, etc. And the next layer of selective focus is ignoring obedience to Jesus, but putting more focus on it being bad to do good 'works' and be 'legalistic' as if that's sin to be obey God. That twisted idea sounds awfully familiar as if it doesn't come from God, but the opposite of God. The father of lies absolutely loves twisting things- that it's 'bad' to do good. Does Jesus say it's 'bad' to obey Him? John 14:15.

So, who will I listen to? Man, satan, or Jesus? Easy decision for me. It's good to do good, despite what 'progressive' Christian culture may claim. Doing good doesn't mean you're trying to 'earn' your way into heaven, as some claim. And some falsely assume you don't believe in grace either if you believe doing good is good. I hope people don't try to slander Christians who try to obey Jesus. If Jesus was alive today, some would probably accuse Him of being legalistic and works based too. The works vs grace is already explained in the Bible, James 2, Romans 11, etc. People end up being disproportionate emphasis on one or the other, but the Bible already predicted this difficulty which is why they wrote so much about it in the Bible to explain. Pray for God for wisdom and understanding and read the Bible not to confirm what you want to believe, or what you were already taught by men, but to understand what God's Word actually says. God bless.

Acts 2:38:

Baptized in water for remission of sins to be saved. Jews first, then gentiles.

Note:

2: 41:

3000 souls were baptized to be obedient.

Acts 8: 36 - 39:

Philip baptized eunuch in water.

Acts 9:18:

Apostle Paul is baptized.

Acts 10: 47, 48:

Peter baptized Cornelius and his family.

Acts 18: 8:

Chief ruler of synagogue believed on the Lord(many with him) got baptized.

Acts 19: 1 - 6:

Paul baptized certain disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22: 16:

Paul defense/testamony on trial telling the people; that he was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Romans 6: 3, 4:

Paul says those that are saved have been baptized/buried in the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 5:26:

Christ sanctify and cleanse His church with the washing of WATER by the word.

Colossians 2: 11, 12:

The circumcision of Christ takes place in water baptism.

Hebrews 9: 19, 20:

When Moses read the law to all the people, he took blood, water, hyssop, and sprinkled them with it, signifying God have enjoined them.

Hebrews 10: 22:

Our bodies are washed with pure water.

1 Peter 3: 20, 21:

In the days of Noah, 8 souls were saved by water. The like figure even BAPTISM ALSO NOW SAVES US.

In conclusion, water is used to separate you from sin/cut off the flesh to bring you into new covenant with Christ, the NEW BIRTH, BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND SPIRIT!

Palm Sunday, the Passover, crucifixion, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Resurrection day (Feast of First Fruits) all are coming soon. Jesus fulfilled the old, and confirmed the new. Jesus fulfilled the Passover, the blood of the new testament shed for many. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus' sinless life, leaven is a symbol of sin in the Bible, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. First Fruits, Jesus is the firstfruits of them that slept.

The Tamid sacrifice was the beginning and the ending of the daily worship, a Perpetual Sacrifice the first and the last. It was done every day but on the day of the crucifixion, it is evident the timing was so precise it must have been for that day. Exodus 29:38-42

Early the morning of Passover the first hour Jesus was taken to Pilate to be judged where no fault was found in Him. At the exact time, the priest tied the Tamid lamb to the altar and inspected it to make sure there were no blemishes. Jesus was nailed to the cross the third hour, 9 AM. The priest slaughtered the lamb and placed it on the fire as the first sacrifice of the day on the third hour, 9 AM, the first hour of prayer. The lamb burns on the fire all day, a continual burnt sacrifice. All the people's sin sacrifices are placed on top of the wood where the first lamb is burning.

At the six-hour (noon) the priest brings the second lamb, ties it to the altar, and inspects it for blemishes and darkness fell over the land until the ninth hour 3 PM. The ninth hour 3 PM the last Tamid lamb was sacrificed and placed on the altar on top of all the sacrifices that day ending the daily sacrifices, the second hour of prayer; also called the hour of confession. At the same time the darkness lifted, Jesus gave up the ghost, earthquake, the veil of the temple rent, many bodies of the saints which slept arose and appeared to many and at this time they were sacrificing the Passover lambs. Hebrews 10:5-12

May God bless us,Ron

Hello, just as a point of clarification, the Bible clearly says someone must NOT deliberately continue sinning and expect to be covered by grace. Hebrews 10:26. Matthew 7:21, Luke 12:10. The Bible contradicts the false teaching of once saved, always saved. Christianity means to follow Christ, if someone claims they were 'saved' and follows the devil and commits mass murder for the rest of their life, there's no scripture that says that person is saved, but it says quite the opposite. Satan is trying to deceive Christians into thinking it's ok to sin, but Jesus said the opposite. John 14:15. So, who will someone believe and follow: the devil, or Jesus?

This is from the heart. Some here believe Paul preached "once saved always saved" or something. Paul wrote Hebrews:

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ through His word. Receive Him. Follow Him. Repent from the sins of this world and of the flesh.

God Bless everyone.

First, we aren't actually saved until judgement day. Some say we're 'saved' when we 'accept' Jesus Christ into our heart, but no where in the Bible does it say that. What it actually says is to be a Christian is this: Link

A Christian is a Christ follower- it means we are actively following Christ. If we genuinely do that the Bible says our sins will be covered by Jesus's sacrifice and grace. However, just because we become a Christian doesn't mean we're stripped of freewill and become robots- we still have full ability to choose good or evil, to sin or not sin, and we're still tempted by satan. Therefore, some people slip up occasionally and sin, but still genuinely try to follow Christ, however, some do stop, turn and follow satan and follow the evil of the world. That person is not saved and they are technically not acting like a Christian anymore.

Those who claim once saved always saved always fail to explain one simple indisputable verse: Luke 12:10. Jesus tells his followers (Christians) that if they commit blashphemy of the holy ghost they will not be saved. Hebrews 10:26 is another indisputable verse that was talking to Christians, saying that Christianity isn't a license to sin, or a get out of jail free card. Non-Christians who haven't received the knowledge of the truth as it says have ignorance as an excuse and doesn't apply to them.

Here's anther: Hebrews 6:4 - 6:6 and another: Matthew 7:21 - 7:23

The Bible speaks for itself. Only would have to cherry pick around all these 100% clear verses in order to come up with the opposite conclusion.

Satan is behind all lies and he's a great deceiver, so which is more likely: that he's deceiving people to fear God and obey Him more than they need to? Or, is it more likely satan is deceiving people into believing they're saved and it's ok to sin and follow the world?

God bless...

Neither. I understand that the crucifixion & resurrection of Jesus was for the forgiveness of our past sins & removal of them that were held to our account. Hebrews 10:16,17: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." And, Romans 4:25: "Who (Jesus) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Our sins placed on Jesus at the Cross have been taken away, no longer imputed to us & we remain justified (i.e. to be declared not guilty, absolved, acquitted) from any further recourse or punishment. When God looks at us, He sees us IN Christ & clothed in His Righteousness (& not our own which could only condemn us).

Salvation, I believe is a once only event that was accomplished at the Cross & received through full faith in that Work. It can't be undone or re-given: we're either saved or not, or else, we show that we despise this great Work & count it of little worth. What you wrote, "that Salvation is a process of maturing in the spirit of Christ", I see that as the ongoing filling Work of the Spirit, as we continue to empty ourselves of that which hinders His Work. And when we do, He reveals to us more of Jesus, endeavouring to make us more like Him in every way. ( Ephesians 3:19, 5:18).

Hello Paul,

I did the search for you brother:

Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69

Psalms 110:1

Mark 16:19

Acts 2:33

Acts 7:55-56

Romans 8:34

Ephesians 1:20

Colossians 3:1

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 8:1

Hebrews 10:12

Hebrews 12:2

( 1 Peter 3:22

You're right on track, dear brother. Keep studying the Word - more & more Light from God will be revealed to you. Keep 'nagging' the Lord for your loved ones (as many of us do for ours), & 'pray them into the Kingdom'; remember the Lord's parable of the widow who 'nagged' the unjust judge to get justice ( Luke 18:1-8). Even though in different circumstances, the parable was given "that men ought always to pray & not to faint", or 'keep on praying for what you know is right & in God's Will (that none should perish), & don't give up'. Every blessing Lou, in the Lord.

Thanks for your insights. I need to keep praying earnestly for my family and friends, to seek The Truth in Scripture, for that is where God speaks to us. As for myself, I am daily in The Word and wrestle more now than ever with the very real possibility of not seeing loved ones under Christ's Righteousness. I will keep praying, I will become a nag to Our Father with constant pray for His Hand to turn them. It is very possible then that God in seeing His Son when He look upon me, may have Mercy beyond my mind's understanding today. Thanks again for your responses Chris, May God continue to Bless You through His Son, The Worthy Lamb of God, who lay down His life for us. Peace.

Lou, Yes, what they do is certainly sin & contrary to God's Word. The reliance on the material: what is seen, touched, partaken of, is very important to the Catholic. We can see it in the statues, stained glass windows, the incense, the robes, the crucifix, the elements, etc. Can one worship the Lord without the need for any of this paraphernalia that resembles Old Testament instructions to Israel rather than to those under the New Covenant in Christ's Blood?

So, I understand that you & your family still attend that Church but troubled by what you are seeing & maybe from your reading of the Bible. "Who is errorless?" We can all fall into error, some more than others. Both RC Priest & Protestant Pastor are never inerrant - none can ever say that all of God's Word, His Mind, His Plans are known fully. We can have a good understanding & preach accordingly after much study, but each one has to be convinced in his own heart about the matter & each hearer of the message has to weigh up what is shared. For many years, RCs were prevented from reading the Bible as its interpretation remained in the domain of the clergy. Fortunately now, this is not the case, so questions are being asked, some even coming out of the Church when seeing errors there.

In years past, a couple of my RC acquaintances said that they believed the Truth as given in the Bible but still could not break ties with the Church - maybe for fear, ignorance or being unprepared of the 'unknown'. Christians ought not to be silent listeners digesting everything fed to them from the pulpit. We have to reason what we hear in our hearts & allow God's Spirit to help us discern. You can see much of it here on this Site with various opinions presented. But it's how the Word of God is used in defence of a teaching that's important. If you go now to a RC Priest & debate with him on Purgatory, he will probably want you to go for further teaching & counselling rather than spend time in searching the Scriptures with you.

Chris: Then is what they do sinning? I am troubled for decades now in even seeing idols around the altar, (though I worship these not) and selective verses of Gospel that seeks to 'not offend'; is the RC Church condemning themselves? It's far more than myself. My wife and I raised our children in this faith, all of my family is in this faith. Many of my friends as well. And I think the issue I have in wrestling with this is, who is errorless? And if who as in individuals, then what church? Even, True Believers under a Gospel following pastor that are called to assembly to exhort one another, now follow a man who believes he has license & authority to write his interpretation of God's Word and in doing so transform Christ The Living Word into potentially something else. I am sure that a Repentant Believer in Jesus Christ with Christ's Righteousness over them still will err in the flesh. Aside from Jesus Christ our Lord, who can be perfect in the flesh. And if who as in individuals, then what church? Thanks for listening.

To us, who understand the Word differently to the Roman Catholics, their belief & performance of Transubstantiation is one of the most important & revered aspects of remembering & partaking of the Lord. We generally think that they are re-sacrificing Christ by this act - they see that it's not a re-sacrificing, but that the Presence of Christ is evident in the bread & wine, without these being materially changed or even by smell or taste.

When they consider John 6:48-58, they believe that Jesus spoke to the people of having to actually partake of His Body & Blood so that their sins may be forgiven & His Life & Blessing may be transmitted through them. That these elements mystically change during the Mass & re-convert afterwards, continue to give their adherents this belief that they are truly partaking of Christ Himself. Apart from being a false understanding of what the Lord was saying (e.g. when He spoke of the Living Water), this belief, along with many others, holds RCs solidly to the Church, lest by leaving her, they should fall from the Grace of God. And that is why for any leaving that Church, would be an extremely difficult decision to make, both in their mental & spiritual areas. But once free, they are free indeed.

And RCs will readily admit to Christ's physical presence in Heaven, yet for the purpose of the Mass, the elements can be changed & received as such. Even while sitting with His disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus spoke about this matter with them ( Matthew 26:26-28): He was physically present, when they partook of the bread & wine, none of Jesus' Body & Blood were missing, but yet the RC remains convinced that even at the Table, those elements changed mystically.

So, I wonder whether we can make an accusation against them of sacrificing Christ at every occasion of the Mass. It really is their misunderstanding of what Jesus spoke & intended for His disciples to comprehend & practise & their compelling others to be deceived by such a belief.

Why do Roman Catholics continue to offer a sacrifice at the hands of a priest when this is trampling the Lords work of Salvation through His own sacrifice that He once and for all gave for us. This can't be looked on favorably by The Lord. My whole life I spent in RC Church and now see what Paul is saying in this chapter.

To understand spirit, soul, body

And the problems we encounter as a 3 part being. Do a little reading in here.

resourceministries.org/Mended spirit

I hope this blesses you too.

May the Lord bless you & strengthen your mind & spirit in this very important matter, Alec. So many Christians lead defeated lives, not just in the matter of sin consuming them, but being insecure in their salvation, fearing that their prayer hasn't been heard or God refuses to forgive them.

It's all of God's Grace: He initiated His Plan for you, He put it in place for you through Jesus His Only Begotten Son, Jesus laid down His Life for you - can it possibly be that He would now refuse you access into His Love & Forgiveness? NEVER. Or else God has failed in His Love & Promises. And yes, we are 'brutal', for we wield the Sword of the Lord (His Word), with joy & confidence in His Truth - His Truth has set us free & the same Truth will set you free of any doubts & concerns you have now or in the future. Hold on tightly to Him - our sailing on the waters of life is never promised to be smooth & trouble-free, but our Captain will always be at the helm to ensure our safety. And He certainly can be trusted. See you on the other side my friend.

wow, you guys are brutal, lol but correct I have been feeling like Jesus didn't hear me so I have been wearing myself out trying to please the Lord. I guess i had to see it in writing to understand and I really do understand now.

Thank you

Alec

Romans 1:18-26. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; HERE'S WHERE THEY IGNORED GODS GLORY IN HIS CREATION AND WORSHIPED IDOLS, AND "GOD" GAVE THEM OVER TO HOMO SEXUALITY.

(((so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things))).

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: WE SIN BECAUSE WE INHERITED ADAMS FLESHLY NATURE.

Romans 5:19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Sherl,

"however you can fall from grace."

In the conditions you describe,"the fall from grace", is a situation of broken fellowship with God, not a total loss of salvation. Gross sin, or presumptuous sins may plague a believer, and thereby strain their relationship to God, and the way to correct that status is as you said, repent and ask forgiveness. For example, your children, can either be pleasant and agreeable or ornery and difficult, in either case, they never stop being your children. Christians of all depths/ages/maturity, work out their own experience of being saved, some do better than others. The father of the prodigal son, had two sons. The one who remained with his father also had issues that the father had to deal with. God does not throw out the baby with the bath water, and keeping them clean, is given his full attention. Hebrews 10:30&31"For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Alec Ford,

Two very destructive sins are, feeling saved by our works, and, feeling unsaved by our works. Believers are saved by the grace of God and faith.

Phillipians 4:7 speaks of your heart. lest you be fearful, and your mind, lest you are doubtful. The Lord is working to keep Christians from those two crippling afflictions, which Christians bear while connected to the flesh and the old nature.

Hebrews 10:2 doesn't speak of feelings, as Chris has graciously tried to help you with, but instead, knowledge of sin, through the God given conscience. Christians often battle with presumptuous sins, Psalms 19:13 "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me". Were it not for salvation, your conscience wouldn't trouble you so much. Therefore, take heed to the wretchedness we share with Paul in Romans 7:25 and Romans 7:14. The flesh/old nature, constantly gnaws at our faith/trust, whereby God has saved us. Chris is correct in asking, was your trust in the Lord to have died for you real? Then, should, you say yes indeed, take "the shield of faith, Ephesians 6:16, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" and press onward to the day God takes away your flesh, and till then, the shield of faith, will guard your heart and mind. Because God is able 2 Timothy 1:12, and the believers hope/expectation is Psalm 17:15. Day by day, here a little, there a little, God changes believers to a likeness of his son, and will complete that transition only after we leave this lost world.

Two very destructive sins are, feeling saved/worthy by our works/choices, and, feeling unsaved/unworthy by our works/choices. Believers are saved by the grace of God and faith in the work He has done through His Son dying for sinners.

Alec, neither of those Scriptures you've given apply to your situation. Hebrews 10:2, speaks about the Jews who had to yearly offer sacrifices to obey God's Commands & to avert His Anger upon them. The sacrifices could never remove sin or their guilty consciences & that is why they had to be offered each year. Philippians 4:7, is an encouragement for those given to worry & anxiousness. Paul suggests that they commit their problems to the Lord in prayer with praise to the One Who will deal with their matters.

You've indicated that you're feeling guilty over past sins. And for some reason, unlike the first time, you now can't rid yourself of this dilemma you're in. Usually, in such situations, folk have truly called upon the Lord for salvation or restoration, but haven't let go of their sins, their past life, or the pain they have inflicted upon others. When we come to the Lord for spiritual healing, we do so entirely based on faith in His Word, in His Power to be able to do this, & Promise that it will be "thy faith hath made thee whole". If we're dwelling on past sins, & lets face it, the memory will always be there but should not burden us anymore or bring on guilt, then we really haven't put those sins upon Jesus to bear them & forgive us - rather, inwardly we believe that Jesus has failed to hear our cry, we are not forgiven & we have to continue to live with the mental & spiritual uncertainty & torment.

Take stock of what took place when you came to the Lord. Did you earnestly seek His forgiveness for your many sins? Did you sense in your heart that He had done so according to His Word ( John 3:14-18)? That He will no longer resurrect those forgiven sins & accuse you of them ( Hebrews 10:14-17). Why should we then allow those past sins come back to haunt us? Leave it at the Cross - tell Satan who is taunting you with this, that you're a child of God, covered in Christ's Blood ( James 4:7), that you ARE forgiven. Spend much time in God's Word & pray for healing.

If i am reading Hebrews 10 vs 2 and Philippians 4 vs 7 correctly, why do I feel so guilty for past sins? Yes I have backslidden and have come back to the Lord. when i first came and was saved I knew I was forgiven without a doubt and never dwelt on past sins, but this time i do. Now I know I am saved no doubt but to often the peace of God escapes replaced by guilt and shame of ever leaving in the first place.

I can heartily agree with your first paragraph that the Triune God is very Truth. But then you say that the Holy Spirit is not a person. And it's at this point that we have to dwell.

Before I give you some Scriptures, let me ask, "what if God chose to embody His "Truth" (the Holy Spirit), with flesh, as He did to His "Word"? Would that alter your belief that the Spirit is more than the Truth (a Word) of God, but very God Himself by His Spirit?

Some Scriptures for you to consider that the Holy Spirit is not only the 'Truth of God' but sent from God as God: 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 (He is Intelligent, He searches, He knows, He has a Will); Ephesians 4:30 (He has feelings - can be grieved & He seals the believer); John 14:26 (He teaches; notice the pronoun); John 16:13, Romans 8:14; Acts 8:29 (He guides, leads, speaks, hears, glorifies God); Acts 13:4 (He commissions or despatches); Romans 8:26,27 (He intercedes); Matthew 12:31 (He can be blasphemed); Acts 5:3 (He can be lied to); Acts 7:51 (He can be resisted); Hebrews 10:29 (He can be outraged). And these are just a few to consider.

Then if we leave off the word 'Spirit' & replace it with 'Truth' in those Scriptures (as you asked me to try out), in some cases, it could work as the Spirit is Truth, as God & the Son are Truth. But in other cases, that just wouldn't work (e.g. how does the Truth (as a spoken Word) grieve, search, has a Will, feelings, hears, glorifies, commissions, intercedes, blasphemed against, etc.?). And then again, why did God not just use the word 'Truth' (as in 'the Truth shall set you free') but rather shows us that His Spirit (of Truth) was sent to accomplish these tasks? I can see if someone has difficulty with the Doctrine of the Trinity, then understanding the Spirit's part in the Godhead would be a problem.

Hi Betty, many people have different opinions on this subject, but really, no one's opinion matters. You should just read God's word directly and pray to God for understanding. He wants you to seek Him and He will reward you through that effort. Ask for wisdom and He will grant it.

I will offer my opinion. Even in the days when Paul wrote the letters there was confusion, which is why Paul wrote so much about the subject of salvation, works, and grace. People often take one portion then draw assumptions, while forgetting the rest. It all needs to be taken as a whole for a proper perspective, in my opinion. Either extreme side can be abused- someone who claims he's saved may intentionally sin and claim it's ok, which is contrary to what Jesus said. Jesus, however, also got upset at the pharisees who were extremely law abiding, while missing the whole point about loving God and loving others, so they were wrong too.

I might also challenge the assumption of someone being 'saved'. Are Christians truly saved now before judgment day? I think people are judged on judgment day THEN saved. What is a Christian? A Christ-follower. What does that mean? It's an action- a verb- to actively follow Christ. That involves movement, growth, change. The Bible is filled with challenges for ourselves to constantly improve our Christian walk. So, I look it as someone driving down a freeway heading in a certain direction- toward Jesus. We may hit bumps in the road, we may swerve, we may even get a flat tire and stop temporarily, but if we still continue toward Jesus then we are a real Christian with our sins covered by grace. However, if we as a Christian get deceived and exit off, turn around and start heading the opposite direction to the world of sin and evil, and intentionally denounces the faith, then I no longer believe a Christian is covered by grace or saved.

Hebrews 10:26

God bless you!

Page 1.

Fred, I think you may be referring to my earlier comments to the enquirer about why Paul wrote to the Galatians. If not, & your comments here are of a general nature & not directed to me, I apologize.

But if could write a few things to what you've written. It's probably good to stay with Galatians, since Paul is quite thorough in his teaching of the Law vs Grace. And this was so, as you noted, that the Church(es) there were being infiltrated by these proponents of the necessity of keeping the Law in all its forms coupled with embracing the freedom that the believer has in Christ.

Firstly, the Law can never complement the Gospel of Grace - they are opposed to each other in both meaning & application. If searching hard for a connection, it would have to be that both are from the same Author: given at different times & for different outcomes. The Law by its very nature & objective was given because "of transgressions till the Seed should come" (3:19). The Law was given to Israel so that they might know God's requirements for them, to be made aware of the nature & effects of sin ( Romans 7:9) & the compulsion to deal with it with sacrifices which diverted God's Anger & Judgement upon them. This was a continual offering because sin was a continual burden to the soul. The sacrifices & odours were acceptable to God in view of the One great & perfect Offering made & given by God that would be offered once & for all people ( Hebrews 10:10,12,14).

Secondly, Paul's dealing with the Judaizers was very stern, because any fusing of the old Jewish Law with the New Covenant through Jesus would never work. Paul even appealed to Abraham ( Galatians 3:6-18) to show that God accepted him for his faith, & the blessings to the (gentile) nations could only come based on that faith alone. If what we inherit came by obedience to the Law, then it would no longer be "by promise", as what was assured to Abraham.

If I could add to the other very pertinent accurate comments given you. You would have read further & your heart should have been comforted to know the circumstances to which this letter was referring to. In a nutshell, the answer is in verse 29.

The writer was agonizing over some Jewish converts (to whom this letter was primarily directed to), who wouldn't let go of Judaism entirely & were in danger of abandoning the faith & reverting back to Judaism. Therefore, the writer took great pains to again explain to them the superiority of Jesus Christ Who gives life & the superiority of Christianity, over the 'old religion' which under Moses' Law only brought death (v 28). One can see the writer's desperate plea to them in verses 19-25. Then, even with all this, the warning went out: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins...Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

The writer says that if they "sin wilfully after receiving the Truth, there's no more hope". What is this sin being written about, as we know that God is merciful & will always forgive us because of His Son's Sacrifice? The sin that is referred to is of APOSTASY: these converts were on the cusp of rejecting Christ & reverting back to Judaism - if they did, there was no other Sacrifice on offer (nor could be) that they could grab onto for salvation. If Judaism was their goal, then they would perish under the Law's penalty. See Hebrews 6:4-6, where a similar warning went out, of the impossibility to find salvation in any other or of returning back to Christ. If they so despised Christ (10:29) & turned their backs to Him, their end would be fearful.

Alec, these verses are not for you - you can rejoice in being forgiven.

Hi Alec, Sometimes the hardest people to forgive is ourselves, we know all too well our weakness and short comings, I haven't lived a life on drugs but can attest to a lot of short comings that I'm ashamed of and deserve the punishment of hell, but for as great a sinner that I am, I have a greater Savior that suffered on the cross for me, and all I need to do is repent and believe. When you look at the apostles, they spent three years with Jesus witnessing His preaching's and miracles, and yet when Judas betrayed Jesus, they were scattered, and Peter denied him three times. Just because we say that we're Christian and believe doesn't mean that we're not going to ever sin again, but when we do sin, we need to pray for forgiveness. I also believe that in times of doubt or weakness, that the Holy Spirit is there to comfort us and also to convict us through our conscience to keep us on the narrow road to the Cross. When you say you have the feeling of fear coming over you, maybe it's the Holy Spirit, telling you to come back to the Cross, count this as a blessing, because it sound like you're on the narrow road, and He wants to keep you there.

May God bless you on your journey.

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Matthew 18:21 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Matthew 18:22 "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

First of all, if you feel the Lord calling you back, why would you be afraid to return? As it say's, we will all be judged and I have the same story behind me. It would be more fearful to never feel that call and stay in the world of sin than to return as did the prodigal son. This passage has tormented me too many times but the rest of scripture assures me that God is always ready to accept repentance.