Forgiveness, Faithfulness, and Fearfulness

Hebrews 10

​“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jer. 31:34)

According to Warren Wiersbe, Hebrews 10, a very familiar passage of scripture, focuses on “forgiveness, faithfulness, and fearfulness.” The sacrifices under the Old Covenant brought a reminder of sin, not a remission of sin.

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Hebrews 10:11-18 (ESV)

The blood sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus took care of sin once and for all. Because there is no more offering for sin, there is also no more remembrance of sin, and we can rejoice that we have a righteous standing before God.

Wiersbe writes, “The same Savior who died for you now lives for you and invites you to come into His presence to worship and to share your needs.”

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

The Old Testament high priest could go behind the veil only once a year, but we can come into God’s presence any time. Be sure that you are cleansed and prepared to meet Him. You can trust Him: “He who promised is faithful.”

Dr. Tony Evans writes in his Study Bible, “Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. After all, Jesus has already dealt with the things you’re ashamed to discuss. God knows our issues, and he’s dealt with our problems. You never have to beat around the bush in prayer. Be real with the Father. Boldness in drawing near to God is critical for avoiding divine discipline associated with the willful sin the author addresses later in the chapter.”

Dr. Evans goes on, “Connecting to a vibrant, biblically based, loving church is a critical tool that can steer us away from disobedience so that we can avert sin’s consequences and avoid divine discipline. Believers who are not a functioning part of a local church are living outside of the will of God and limiting God’s work in their lives. Tragically, some of this letter’s readers had started neglecting to gather together. They were avoiding the means God had provided to help them. Remember, when your get-up-and-go has gotten up and gone, you need someone who can lift you up. It can be hard to be a Christian. We need to be encouraging each other.”

“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)

The privilege of entering His presence brings with it the responsibility of obeying His precepts. This exhortation applies to those who repeatedly defy God’s will and disgrace God’s name. God deals with His children, be it ever so severely; He will not have them acting like rebels and representatives of the world.

Dr. Tony Evens writes, “If you persist willfully in the very sin for which Christ died to set you free, you’ve trampled on the Son of God and insulted the Spirit of grace. Such is the willful rebellion of believers who treat with contempt the high sacrificial price paid by God’s Son to bring us our great salvation. God will not ignore this. The sacrifice that saves you from the eternal consequences of sin will not necessarily deliver you from the consequences of sin in history. The Lord vows to judge his people. This is not the side of God you want to see, because it is a terrifying thing."

“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” Romans 11:22 (ESV)

The chapter closes on a note of encouragement. God warns us so that we will not be presumptuous, but He comforts us so that we will not be discouraged. The hard heart needs the warning; the broken heart needs the comfort.

How is your heart today? Are you harboring unconfessed sin in your life? Do you have a broken and contrite spirit, one that humbly deals with sinful thoughts and actions? Are you continually dealing with the same sinful actions? Have you asked God for the Holy Spirit’s Power to help you overcome it?
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Today, repent from those things not pleasing to God, from your intentional and unintentional sinful patterns in your life, and seek accountability from someone who is farther along in their spiritual journey than you. Know that only God can grant you the power and strength to overcome sin. Lean into Jesus, the High Priest, who is the New Covenant for “forgiveness, faithfulness, and fearfulness,” and lean not on the sacrifices or good works under the Old Covenant, which only brings a reminder of sin, not a remission of sin.

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