Wednesday 30 April, 2014

26 What if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth? Then there is no offering for our sins. 27 All we can do is to wait in fear for God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies. 28 Anyone who did not obey the law of Moses died without mercy if there were two or three witnesses. 29 What should be done to anyone who has hated the Son of God or has said no to him? What should be done to a person who treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that makes him holy? What should be done to someone who has made fun of the Holy Spirit who brings God’s grace? Don’t you think people like that should be punished more than anyone else? 30 We know the One who said, “I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back.” (Deuteronomy 32:35) Scripture also says, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14) 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

What a stern warning believers are given in this passage of Scripture.  If you’ve tasted the forgiveness and grace of God through Jesus and continue to deliberately sin you will face the judgement of God.  There is no nice way of putting this truth.  Jesus sacrificial death on the cross for your sins will be rendered useless if you continue to deliberately sin.  God speaks about a pay back for this ongoing deliberate sinning.

I am reminded not to take Jesus sacrificial death on the cross for my sins lightly.  If I continue to sin and do life my way repeatedly it’s like a slap in the face to God. It’s making a mockery of the Christian faith basically.  True repentance requires a change in behaviour and lifestyle.  It is important to note that this passage is dealing with believers who know they are doing the wrong thing over and over again. Sin is serious.  So serious that Jesus was put to death for the sins of all mankind.  If your conscience is pricked by a particular action or it doesn’t sit right or you know something is just plain wrong then seek God’s forgiveness and help to change.  By ongoing deliberate sinning we risk searing our conscience to the point where we no longer think something is wrong when it is.  God does not want to judge us that’s why he warns us.

Dear God, help me to never take for granted Jesus death on the cross for my sins.  Help me to keep an honest and up to date account with you in relation to my sin.  Amen.

Written by Ainslie Woods