To Sin Willfully: Not Believing in Jesus

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

This passage has brought many people into bondage, falsely so.

For the truth sets us free (John 8:32), and Jesus is the truth (John 14:"6)

He is also the way and the life.

Now, what did the writer of Hebrews  mean by sin willfully?

Let us consider the context of this passage in its fullness:

"1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1: 1-2)

God, fathers, prophets --- all three signal a Jewish audience.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing Hebrew Christians, or individuals who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but wanted to go back to the ritual sacrifices for sins.

Throughout the Book of Hebrews, the writer emphasizes that Jesus has completed one sacrifice for sins forever:

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)

and also

"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)

and also:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10: 12)

We are called to believe on Jesus, the perfect sacrifice who takes away the sins of the world (John 1: 27; 1 John 2: 1-2):

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 28-29)

That is the work: believe on Him!

And what is sin?:

"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14: 23)

What does our faith connect to? Jesus, who is alive:

"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15: 17)

If we believe that Jesus has not finished the work, if we believe that there is still some sacrifice remaining that we must do, then we are sinning willfully.

Rest in the truth that Jesus has finished it all, and know that there is no condemnation in Christ yesterday, today, and forever (Romans 8:1, Hebrews 13: 8)