READ: Heb. 10:26-39: … do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance … you may receive the promise: … He who is coming will come … Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
The readers are now earnestly addressed regarding the consequences of slackening. If you fall away from faith, there is no more atonement (cf. 6:4-6). If you have known the treasures that Christ wants to give you, have lived with them, but then consciously – willingly and knowingly – continue to sin with unbelief, you will not be forgiven for this, but God’s destructive judgment will come upon you.
This concerns the sin against the Holy Spirit (3:12, 6:4-6), or the sin that leads to death (1 John 5:16). Verse 28 refers to the deliberate rejection of the law, for which the death penalty was imposed in the Old Testament (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6, 19:15). But now, the sin of unbelief deserves an even heavier punishment because you trample on God’s Son, consider the cleansing blood of the covenant unclean, and blaspheme the Spirit of truth (Matt.12:32). Then a dreadful expectation remains of God’s scorching judgment. There is no escape from God (vv.30,31; Deut. 32:35).
The writer reminds the readers of their initial days after coming to faith. During that time, they experienced much struggle and suffering. They supported him in his imprisonment and even accepted the confiscation of their property by their oppressors. They could endure it all with the thought of the glory that would be theirs.
So, they should not give up their faith now but continue to expect it from God and His Son! Whatever the situation, they must not slacken, or lose their boldness. This is the boldness to approach God and have communion with Him, now and in the future (v.19).
Then there is a reward: God will fulfill His rich promises. Therefore, let us not falter but persevere in living faith, with the view of God’s grace and the impending return of Christ!
How can we help each other persevere?
Singing: Ps. 84:6