Read
26Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.
30For we know the one who said,
“I will take vengeance.
I will repay those who deserve it.”
He also said,
“The Lord will judge his own people.”
31It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Reflect
There is one tried and true rule in my house that my kids know and understand fully. Here it is: If you intentionally disobey or disrespect Mom or Dad, punishment will be swift, sure and memorable. There is no second chance. Having experienced the punishment side of this rule at least once, our children know how serious we are about it.
God also laid out what the punishment will be if we deliberately continue to sin after we have accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for our sin. The type of disobedience God is talking about is the intentional, total rejection of Jesus’ gift of salvation. God promises that the punishment that we will receive will be swift, sure and eternal.
Respond
What is the difference between those who deliberately reject Christ and those who backslide in their faith?
Is it possible to reject Christ even after we have received His salvation?
The last verse of our reading says, “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. What does that mean to you?
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