For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge 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. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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? (Hebrews 10:26-29)
There are consequences to sin, both for those who are saved and the unsaved.
The author of Hebrews gave us a serious warning about Christians who become complacent, indifferent, and deliberately do what they know the Bible tells them not to do.
Christians who knowingly go against God’s Word are in spiritual rebellion against the knowledge of God’s will. Hebrews 10:26-29 talks about those who sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth. The word knowledge is epignosis and means the full, exact, complete knowledge of the truth.
Some consequences of spiritual rebellion are certain fearful looking for judgement and fiery indignation. This is how serious sin is for the Christian who knows better. God is a just God. He will not overlook intentional transgression, especially from those who have been taught and know the truth.
To illustrate this, the consequences of disobeying the laws of Moses are used. Under the Old Covenant, people who went against the law would be stoned or even killed for what they had done. Not because God wanted to kill them, but because the wages of sin is death and by participating in the sin, death came as a natural consequence. The writer of Hebrews then asked how much sorer punishment should happen to those who know the truth and have received Jesus’ mercy and still went against His commands? The command to live holy isn’t a suggestion; it’s an empowered responsibility for New Covenant believers.
Practical Application
Remain vigilant and keep living holy! Seek God when temptation shows up. Be quick to prayer, be quick to pray in the Spirit, and resist temptation.