Confessing to the Church is not only not necessary, but a blasphemy. Seeking forgiveness and absolution of sins from the Church rather than God.
There is only one mediation between God and man; the atonement made by the man Jesus Christ.
-- 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS;
People remain in false religious beliefs as they are fearful of standing alone, of losing family and friends not willing to give all to gain Christ Jesus. They feel safe and secure being in bondage to the laws of the "Church". Christianity is an individual religion, standing alone, hopefully within the brotherhood of others standing alone, steadfast in the faith.
-- 1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
-- 2 Timothy 2:1 KJV Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
It takes great moral strength to remain meek, patient, kind, charitable, in every situation maintaining your trust in the Lord. You only have to contend with one.
-- Hebrews 10:31 KJV It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
-- 1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Yes, We have always been called to obedience and we have always failed.
We're justified by faith in the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross that cleanses us daily. (There's no if's or but's.)
We will never stop looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Here's where Christ will judge the world but for those who recieved Christ and have been baptised into Christ has already died and their sin has been judged and paid for.
And if any child of God sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
In the old covenant "Ministration of condemnation" Israel during that fleshly outward ministry could never become clean! Hebrews 10:1-11 gives a description of that fruitless temporary economy.
But Christ, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he HATH PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED. Hebrews 10:10-14.
These scriptures can not be ignored.
You're getting Justification confused with sanctification!
We're being sanctified daily.
We've been Justified once!
We're enduring and will endure till the end because we ARE saved!
It's Not the other way around.
Anyway you twist it, you're describing your salvation being on grace that you have to earn.
Outwardly you may feel like you are enduring, how about inwardly?
Are you perfect?
Can you perform perfection? We both know that answer!
God's standard for perfection is not something you do for a little while.
Perfection is to be as Christ is!
You probably wouldn't adhere to that thought much because you deny his deity.
However that's perfection, So if you think it's left up to you to endure to the end with your contributed works you haven't rested on the finish work of Christ.
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Ezekiel 36:26
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:27
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
1 John 2:4
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
Matthew 5:19
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
And Hebrews 10:12 reminds us that after the Work of Redemption was completed, Jesus was raised from the grave to be seated at His Father's right Hand. It speaks to us not only of the finality of that great Work, but as Jesus' Rest & restored position with the Father was a glorious reality, so too that Work has assured us of a present eternal rest & restoration with our loving and merciful Father.
With such confidence & hope, why should the enemy of our souls find any intrusion into our lives tempting us to sin or lose our confidence, joy and peace in the One Who accomplished all for us and even given us His Spirit that we may live above every circumstance we face in this life? May we all daily live in His Resurrection Victory, continually praising the One Who made it all possible for us, we who had no redeemable powers or qualities of our own.
Glad to see you up and around Lbooth1955; may the Lord give you complete healing post-surgery.
The Word of God is clear, as you shared from it, that we are truly forgiven of past and present sins, with Jesus' Blood availing to cover future sins as well. The verse you shared ( Hebrews 10:12) impressed me. Actually, going back a couple of verses, we read, "By the which will (i.e. Jesus' Will to proceed to the Cross) we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" ( Hebrews 10:10-12).
The comparison is given here: that of the continual monotonous offering of sacrifices by the high priest which could do no more than stay the Wrath of God from a sinful obstinate people; compared to the Sacrifice of His only Begotten Son Whose sacrifice was not only perfect and sufficient to deal with the sin that separates us from God, but that there was no need for any further form of redemptive work & recovery that could possibly add to it or be any better. In demonstration of God accepting such a Sacrifice, He raised His Son from the dead thus justifying those who are trusting Him for salvation ( Romans 4:24,25; 1 Corinthians 15:17), declaring us 'no longer guilty' nor worthy of eternal punishment. Onto Page 2.
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2nd Cor. 5:19
2 Corinthians 5:19 teaches that in Christ, God reconciled the world to Himself, not imputing (counting) people's sins against them. This reconciliation is complete, covering sins of the past, the present, and even those of the future, because Christ's sacrifice was once for all.
Past Sins: The believer's past life of sin has been fully forgiven through Christ's blood. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" ( Colossians 2:13). God does not hold a believer's former life of sin against them: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus" ( 1 Corinthians 6:11).
Present Sins: As believers still live in the flesh, we sometimes stumble, yet Christ's sacrifice continually avails for us. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" ( 1 John 2:1). His righteousness is always applied to us: "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" ( Romans 4:8).
Future Sins: Because Christ's sacrifice was once for all, even future sins are covered. "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" ( Hebrews 10:12). This does not encourage sin but assures us that no sin can separate us from God's love. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor things present, nor things to come shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:38-39).
COGIC ADULTS MENS SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOK September 14, 2025 Acts 4:34-5:10 KJV
West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
My COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV I Worship God My Father to recieve, when getting what I want and to lack nothing. I Worship God that is a church of generosity and to help the less fortunate. I Worhip God that brings Unity in My Prayers and Ministry Blessing Me with Exhortation Hebrews 10:25 KJV
A 2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV
Verse 5:1-11 My Interpetation: I Worship God the Only Word to Believe. We Believe the Bible to be inspired and only infallible written Word of God.
Thanks for that bro S. Spencer, to which I fully agree. Matthew 3:15, as you quoted, is particularly relevant, as what Jesus proclaimed through His Baptism marked a real turning point, not just to His Life & Ministry on Earth, but would affect both Jew & Gentile alike. As you mentioned, His Baptism & into His Death & Resurrection ended the Levitical priesthood where priests were no longer required ( Hebrews 10:11,12), Jesus Himself becoming our Great High Priest and the Lamb of God for the sacrifice of our sins. No earthly priest could ever fill that role - he could only stand before God with the burnt offerings pleading for the forgiveness of Israel's sins. "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God", and "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
So Christ's Baptism not only reflected the imminent end of the earthly priesthood, but was also in demonstration before His Father that He would obey Him fully, being sent to fulfil His Will through His substitutionary death for mankind & their sins; and this baptism, unlike that of John's, spoke to John that Jesus came not to him for repentance of any sin within him (for He had none), but for the sake of our sins. So, as Jesus looked forward to Calvary in His Baptism, the believer looks back through his baptism at a marvelous undeserved Work accomplished for him at Calvary. And so "the new covenant, an everlasting covenant" was ushered in, which promises that there can never be another Covenant in the future that would or could make it redundant. God offered us His very best - Himself - that only the Blood of His Son could make a full, lasting & acceptable atonement. Thank you brother for your thoughts on this.
Day 28 January 28, 2025 Matthew 18:19-20 KJV Unity in Prayer West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar
I Pray for unity in my prayers and done in my church and community
Matthew 18:19 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
" When done and praying is showing God as holy to believe. Principle-Holy to all religions.Always performaning righteousness, holiness in actions "to do it" of God, to have faith, hope, love is unity"
Confirmation to all the world. Confirmation is of the Gospel performing of miracle. Trusting in Jesus intercession asking in prayer. A guaranteed result I have received being Christian is utterance of the spirtual man.Accord with Jesus Christ God the Father Romans 6:23 KJV." Quoted on prayers being done must be of God expedient, earnest, faithful, preserving.
Expedient definition- serves to promote or advance any means which may be employed to accomplish an end.
Matthew 18:20 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Associated scripture Hebrews 10:25 KJV. Jesus in the midst is Psalm 19:4 KJV to be pleasing in his sight 1 John 3:22 KJV. Jesus Christ is omnipresence amd omniscience to all the world. Quoted on blessing on united, congregational prayer. Jesus want you to have the gift of the Holy Ghost-cordial and sincere. Receiving the blessings -When speaking to have the presence of Christ is true and mighty Psalms 21:6 KJV Communion with his church as real. Speaking in advancement of position Psalms 16:11 KJV
Quoted: Measure is in believing the holy bible-Jesus Christ is life to follow.
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Thank you for your message. Thank you for sharing these two verses. Hebrews 10:26 says if we receive the knowledge of the truth. Please notice it doesn't say if we receive Christ. It's only knowledge we receive. Does knowledge save a person? If I meet a non-believer on the street, and I preach Jesus to him/her, and I tell them that the only way they can be saved from their sin is to receive Jesus, they now have the knowledge of the truth, but does that knowledge save them? The answer to that is no. If someone receives the knowledge of the truth (the gospel message of salvation), and they sin willfully after receiving that knowledge, what this is saying is that there is no other way for them to be saved, no other sacrifice that will atone for their sin.
I'm sorry, but in no way does this verse teach that salvation can be lost. What the writer is saying is that you have been given the knowledge of the truth, the gospel of salvation, and that if you choose to sin willfully after receiving this knowledge, there is no other sacrifice for your sin. Going back into Judaism will not save you!
These men you mention, I am very well aware of. I do not follow them nor do I trust them.
To your question asking that "If someone has the freewill to choose to follow Jesus why would they be forbidden to have freewill to unfollow?"
If there is one command that we are to follow that would be sufficient and acceptable to God, it would be the command Jesus gave to His disciples where He says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The command in this verse is "follow me." That's the command. The command to follow Him means 24/7, not when we choose to do so or not do so. However, as you alluded to, we do have free will and we can choose to disobey the command. But if we do so, will He not chastise us and bring us back into submission?
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
I think one of the Christian band in Australia recently had a member denounce the faith. Ken Copeland was probably a legit follower originally but now looks demon possessed. Same with Duplantis, Osteen, and most others who have greed in their heart. If someone has the freewill to choose to follow Jesus why would they be forbidden to have freewill to unfollow? Many will be deceived.
Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
It says endure to the end, not endure to the beginning or middle when you prayed to start following Christ. It doesn't say you can sin and hurt people and stop following Jesus and commit blasphemy still be saved regardless of your obedience. Some just focus on one verse while ignoring all the other verses.
So, these Hebrew people were given the knowledge of the truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they had a difficult choice to make, at least difficult for them. Many of them turned away from the truth and went right back into old Judaism because life would be much easier for them that way. No salvation there!
And that's what we see also in Hebrews 10:26. Hebrews was written to Hebrew people. There were three classes of people that were being addressed, Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along with the crowd and hearing the same message but had not yet made the decision to receive Jesus as their Savior or go back into Judaism.
So, the writer of Hebrews says, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
Again, receiving knowledge does not save anyone, and the writer is telling them that if they sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (the gospel message of salvation through Jesus), and they reject that knowledge and go back into Judaism because it was much easier, the writer tells them that there is no other sacrifice that will take away their sin.
Thank you for sharing these pieces of scripture. Perhaps you may have missed Hebrews 6:4-6 which is another verse, along with the ones you have shared, that some use to show that salvation can be lost. However, they all fall short of proving the loss of salvation.
In 2 Peter 2:20-22, Peter is speaking to Hebrew people. Nothing in these three verses show that Peter is referring to saved individuals losing their salvation.
A person can receive knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel message of salvation and still never surrender their life to Christ. This is the same thing we see in Hebrews 10:26. Knowledge of the truth does not save anyone. A person must receive Jesus Christ and be born of His Spirit in order to be saved.
If you ever do a study of Judaism and what it means for a Jewish person to receive Jesus as their Savior, it puts these scriptures you've shared into a much clearer perspective.
You see, for a Jewish person to receive Christ, they would be completely cut off from society. They would no longer be allowed in their temple, they would lose their job, and no one would hire them. Their own family would disown them. Their family would consider them dead and literally hold a funeral for them if they denounced Judaism and received Christ as their Savior.
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
2 Peter 2:21
"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."
2 Peter 2:22
"But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Chris has given you a good reply. However, if we examine the saying, "once saved, always saved," it can be true or false; we can use Scripture to support or refute it. So where does that leave us?
In John 3:16, it says that if we believe in Jesus, we will be saved. Jesus promises never to fail. Salvation is based on the grace of God, through faith, not by our efforts, Ephesians 2:8-9. Our salvation depends on the righteousness of Christ and God's mercy, Titus 3:5.
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23-24. We are justified not by works of the law but by faith, Galatians 2:16. We are called not because of our works but because of God's purpose and grace given to us through Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:9.
Our salvation is founded on our faith in Jesus Christ. In John 10:27-29, we are His sheep, hear His voice, follow Him, and are granted eternal life, which no one can take from His hand. Our salvation is secure because it relies on Jesus' work. As Hebrews 10:23 states, we are to hold fast to our faith without wavering because He is faithful.
Conversely, there is the risk of apostasy or falling away. Luke 8:4-15 illustrates this. In verse 13, it describes someone who received the word with joy and believed for a while but fell away when tempted. This person was a believer who later turned away; individuals can walk away on their own.
We must live by faith and be led by the Spirit. Paul says in Colossians 1:23, "If ye continue in the faith." We also see in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 about the great falling away when the beast rises, along with many other verses too numerous to list that emphasize we must endure to the end, like Revelation 2:10, also we are told to hold fast. If we remain strong in our faith, nothing can take our salvation away.
I understand that some say those who fall away were never truly saved, but I do not see that supported by Scripture, and it may be false hope for one who is weak.
At this moment, we are called to pay close attention.... by the faith we have in Christ Jesus, we will reflect His character and holiness.
However, I must also add a word of exhortation and admonition: we are called to be the salt of the earth ( Hebrews 10:25), just as other passages in Scripture speak about being conformed to the image of Christ and the continual transformation of believers,
The Bible emphasizes the importance of wise choices and the pursuit of God's will in every area of our lives. This processs "unfolds" throughout the Christian walk, and it is something we recognize and witness in one another. how we know all this
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are instructed to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways so that He may make our paths straight.To avoid being too vague, what I've found so ffar is that we should not pretend to build friendships only to evangelize. I n addition, in 1 Corinthians 7:7, the apostle Paul acknowledges that difffferent people have diffferent gifts.
So I hope this adds something meaningful, as it's also something I've been observing.
now that i "know" christ's love Ephesians 2:19 Corinthians 3:4-7 and the whole book of Colossians
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
We have to understand that Satan does what he does in our lives to bring us to a point of discouragement so that we voluntarily, in our own decision making, say I quit, I've had it, I been going through this for so long. The need is for endurance. And the book of James teaches us how God develops in us a faith to endure the long term.
So, whatever you and I might be going through today, and in fact, you might think that your life is going along pretty well, but just know that Satan is there just like an ice pick on that big cube of ice just chipping away, little by little. He wears us down.
So, it's not so much being satisfied today that we have trusted the Lord and have done pretty well, but realize that Satan has an entire method or system of attacks. That's what Paul says in Ephesians Chapter 6 about the wiles of the devil, which is the word METHODEA, and is where we get our word methods from.
It could be that the first five or ten trials that come to your life by Satan are just setting you up. It doesn't have anything to do with the real knockout punch that Satan wants to give. He'll wear us down just like a boxer with his jab, punching, punching, punching, so he can land the knockout punch.
So, remember this, that Satan's desire is to wear us down so that we quit, and we don't want to follow the Lord and trust the Lord anymore, because it's just "too hard." You have need of endurance, he says, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:36 - For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For ye have need of patience. Wow! This is one I'd like to cut out and paste on my refrigerator! He's saying you have need of patience. The word patience in the Greek text (HUPOMONE) means to endure, to remain under. Every one of us has what is called a short term and a long term in relation to situations in life.
We see it in the book of Job. Job did great in the short term, even in the midst of some terrible suffering. He lost his family members. He lost some of his possessions. He even lost his health. But he continued to praise the Lord. He would not speak against God.
But then as his health problems continued to linger on, and three of his so-called friends showed up, when they arrived, Job was looking so terrible in his health that they just sat there for an entire week just staring at him and not saying anything. But as time went on, and as the three friends began to share their philosophies and try to figure out what Job did wrong to make him suffer so, even Job began to waiver.
The first thing a trial and tribulation does for us is teach us how to endure the short term. Our greatest need is to endure the long term. The word persecution in Greek (DIOKO) means to chase, to pursue. That's what Satan does to God's people. He does not capture them. He chases them.
And the difference is that Satan chases, and when we're going along strong, he can't do anything about it. He can't catch up with us. But once we begin to weaken, get discouraged, he wants us to slow down, not so that he can capture us because he can't.
So, they are being told that if you go back into old Judaism, you're not going to find any sacrifice there that's going to take care of your sin problem if you leave Christ. You see, they had a choice to make. They could either surrender to Christ, knowing that they would be persecuted and ostracized by their own family and fellow Jews, or, they could go back and remain in Judaism. So, they received the knowledge of the truth, and now they are being told that they either receive Jesus as their Messiah (Savior), or they can go back into their old sacrificing that can never take away their sin.
So, this verse does not teach that a saved person can lose their salvation as some claim!
Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
This is another section of scripture that I believe is very important. This is one of the verses in the Bible that some use to show that salvation can be lost.
It says, "For if we sin willfully, that is, we go back to serving the principle of sin, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth," and again, we saw back in Chapter 6 those who were enlightened, that are no longer coming for fellowship. But just because they were enlightened doesn't mean they're saved. The Lord can enlighten someone as to the knowledge of the truth, they know the truth, they have seen the truth, they understand the truth but have never surrendered their life to Christ.
It goes on to say, "Now if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins."
The writer is speaking to Hebrew people here. These people were following along within a mixed group of Hebrews, and they were all hearing the same truth. So, this crowd consisted of Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along and receiving the knowledge of truth, probably agreeing with what they were hearing, but would not denounce Judaism and surrender their life to Christ because they knew what this would mean if they did. They would be rejected by their own family, they would no longer be allowed in their temple, they wouldn't be able to work, and they would be severely persecuted if they surrendered to Christ.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Some of these Hebrews who have been enlightened to the truth but have never been saved are thinking of going back into old Judaism. If you remember back in Chapters 4 and 5, what is the confession of our faith? There are two things. Number one, Jesus Christ is our apostle. He is the one who has come from God and represents God to us. The second thing in our confession as believers is that Jesus Christ is our high priest.
Now you can imagine a Hebrew or Jewish person making that confession in and amongst the other Hebrew and Jewish people who have rejected Christ as Messiah. That's going to create problems! And so that's why he says let's hold firm, the profession or confession of our faith; (for he is faithful that promised;) That's the Lord!
Thirdly, the third hortatory, or encouragement, is in Verse 24.
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
And let us consider one another. KATANOEO is the Greek word, and it has to do with having a perception upon others. Perceive what others are going through.
And we are to consider one another for two things: Number one, for provoking. Let us consider one another for provoking. In fact, the word provoke in Greek means to irritate, and there are a lot of Christians who are home on that one!
To irritate unto love and to good works: The word good is the word for right, correct works, doing things right in the eyes of the Lord. So, unto love and to good works.
There is only one mediation between God and man; the atonement made by the man Jesus Christ.
-- 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS;
People remain in false religious beliefs as they are fearful of standing alone, of losing family and friends not willing to give all to gain Christ Jesus. They feel safe and secure being in bondage to the laws of the "Church". Christianity is an individual religion, standing alone, hopefully within the brotherhood of others standing alone, steadfast in the faith.
-- 1 Corinthians 16:13 KJV Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
-- 2 Timothy 2:1 KJV Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
It takes great moral strength to remain meek, patient, kind, charitable, in every situation maintaining your trust in the Lord. You only have to contend with one.
-- Hebrews 10:31 KJV It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
-- 1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 10:38-39 reads, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION; BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL.
As for blind faith, the Lord never asks us for blind faith.
Faith is not a leap in the dark.
Faith rest on real knowledge, it is substance that we have faith in. "God's word!"
Faith originates from hearing the Word of God ( Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:1reads "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The word evidence is the Greek word "elegchos" which is a legal term meaning "evidence that is accepted for conviction.
I believe God wants a foundation under our beliefs, which is provided through supernatural signs.
True faith rests upon God's trustworthy character and His revealed Word, not on a lack of understanding or evidence.
Abraham was given covenant promises.
One of those promises is seen in
Genesis 22:18 "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Abraham was given other verbal promises including a Davidic Kingdom and he was promised a Son from his own bowels. (Issac)
This miraculous birth was not by the will of Abraham but by knowledge of the verbal promise and Abraham believed.
We're also Children of promise. Galatians 4:28.
We can trust and rest on God's word.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that "WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM" should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:14-16.
Running out of space.
See part 2
Exodus 20:8
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"
James 2:22 "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"
Blessings
Yes, We have always been called to obedience and we have always failed.
We're justified by faith in the FINISHED work of Christ on the cross that cleanses us daily. (There's no if's or but's.)
We will never stop looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Here's where Christ will judge the world but for those who recieved Christ and have been baptised into Christ has already died and their sin has been judged and paid for.
And if any child of God sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
In the old covenant "Ministration of condemnation" Israel during that fleshly outward ministry could never become clean! Hebrews 10:1-11 gives a description of that fruitless temporary economy.
But Christ, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he HATH PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED. Hebrews 10:10-14.
These scriptures can not be ignored.
You're getting Justification confused with sanctification!
We're being sanctified daily.
We've been Justified once!
We're enduring and will endure till the end because we ARE saved!
It's Not the other way around.
Anyway you twist it, you're describing your salvation being on grace that you have to earn.
Outwardly you may feel like you are enduring, how about inwardly?
Are you perfect?
Can you perform perfection? We both know that answer!
God's standard for perfection is not something you do for a little while.
Perfection is to be as Christ is!
You probably wouldn't adhere to that thought much because you deny his deity.
However that's perfection, So if you think it's left up to you to endure to the end with your contributed works you haven't rested on the finish work of Christ.
Blessings
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Ezekiel 36:26
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:27
"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
1 John 2:4
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
Matthew 5:19
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Blessings
And Hebrews 10:12 reminds us that after the Work of Redemption was completed, Jesus was raised from the grave to be seated at His Father's right Hand. It speaks to us not only of the finality of that great Work, but as Jesus' Rest & restored position with the Father was a glorious reality, so too that Work has assured us of a present eternal rest & restoration with our loving and merciful Father.
With such confidence & hope, why should the enemy of our souls find any intrusion into our lives tempting us to sin or lose our confidence, joy and peace in the One Who accomplished all for us and even given us His Spirit that we may live above every circumstance we face in this life? May we all daily live in His Resurrection Victory, continually praising the One Who made it all possible for us, we who had no redeemable powers or qualities of our own.
The Word of God is clear, as you shared from it, that we are truly forgiven of past and present sins, with Jesus' Blood availing to cover future sins as well. The verse you shared ( Hebrews 10:12) impressed me. Actually, going back a couple of verses, we read, "By the which will (i.e. Jesus' Will to proceed to the Cross) we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" ( Hebrews 10:10-12).
The comparison is given here: that of the continual monotonous offering of sacrifices by the high priest which could do no more than stay the Wrath of God from a sinful obstinate people; compared to the Sacrifice of His only Begotten Son Whose sacrifice was not only perfect and sufficient to deal with the sin that separates us from God, but that there was no need for any further form of redemptive work & recovery that could possibly add to it or be any better. In demonstration of God accepting such a Sacrifice, He raised His Son from the dead thus justifying those who are trusting Him for salvation ( Romans 4:24,25; 1 Corinthians 15:17), declaring us 'no longer guilty' nor worthy of eternal punishment. Onto Page 2.
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2nd Cor. 5:19
2 Corinthians 5:19 teaches that in Christ, God reconciled the world to Himself, not imputing (counting) people's sins against them. This reconciliation is complete, covering sins of the past, the present, and even those of the future, because Christ's sacrifice was once for all.
Past Sins: The believer's past life of sin has been fully forgiven through Christ's blood. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" ( Colossians 2:13). God does not hold a believer's former life of sin against them: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus" ( 1 Corinthians 6:11).
Present Sins: As believers still live in the flesh, we sometimes stumble, yet Christ's sacrifice continually avails for us. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" ( 1 John 2:1). His righteousness is always applied to us: "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" ( Romans 4:8).
Future Sins: Because Christ's sacrifice was once for all, even future sins are covered. "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" ( Hebrews 10:12). This does not encourage sin but assures us that no sin can separate us from God's love. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor things present, nor things to come shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:38-39).
Any thoughts?
West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
My COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV I Worship God My Father to recieve, when getting what I want and to lack nothing. I Worship God that is a church of generosity and to help the less fortunate. I Worhip God that brings Unity in My Prayers and Ministry Blessing Me with Exhortation Hebrews 10:25 KJV
A 2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV
Verse 5:1-11 My Interpetation: I Worship God the Only Word to Believe. We Believe the Bible to be inspired and only infallible written Word of God.
So Christ's Baptism not only reflected the imminent end of the earthly priesthood, but was also in demonstration before His Father that He would obey Him fully, being sent to fulfil His Will through His substitutionary death for mankind & their sins; and this baptism, unlike that of John's, spoke to John that Jesus came not to him for repentance of any sin within him (for He had none), but for the sake of our sins. So, as Jesus looked forward to Calvary in His Baptism, the believer looks back through his baptism at a marvelous undeserved Work accomplished for him at Calvary. And so "the new covenant, an everlasting covenant" was ushered in, which promises that there can never be another Covenant in the future that would or could make it redundant. God offered us His very best - Himself - that only the Blood of His Son could make a full, lasting & acceptable atonement. Thank you brother for your thoughts on this.
a. Jesus Christ's perfect Sacrifice, once and for all people. 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:9,10.
b. We have been justified, declared not guilty, by that Sacrifice and faith in Him. Romans 5:1,2.
c. God has imputed Christ's Righteousness in us, making us holy. Romans 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
d. God has adopted us into His family, never to abandon us. Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 4:5,6.
Hope this helps.
I Pray for unity in my prayers and done in my church and community
Matthew 18:19 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
" When done and praying is showing God as holy to believe. Principle-Holy to all religions.Always performaning righteousness, holiness in actions "to do it" of God, to have faith, hope, love is unity"
Confirmation to all the world. Confirmation is of the Gospel performing of miracle. Trusting in Jesus intercession asking in prayer. A guaranteed result I have received being Christian is utterance of the spirtual man.Accord with Jesus Christ God the Father Romans 6:23 KJV." Quoted on prayers being done must be of God expedient, earnest, faithful, preserving.
Expedient definition- serves to promote or advance any means which may be employed to accomplish an end.
Matthew 18:20 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
" Associated scripture Hebrews 10:25 KJV. Jesus in the midst is Psalm 19:4 KJV to be pleasing in his sight 1 John 3:22 KJV. Jesus Christ is omnipresence amd omniscience to all the world. Quoted on blessing on united, congregational prayer. Jesus want you to have the gift of the Holy Ghost-cordial and sincere. Receiving the blessings -When speaking to have the presence of Christ is true and mighty Psalms 21:6 KJV Communion with his church as real. Speaking in advancement of position Psalms 16:11 KJV
Quoted: Measure is in believing the holy bible-Jesus Christ is life to follow.
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Blessings
James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"
James 2:22 "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"
Blessings
(Part 1):
Thank you for your message. Thank you for sharing these two verses. Hebrews 10:26 says if we receive the knowledge of the truth. Please notice it doesn't say if we receive Christ. It's only knowledge we receive. Does knowledge save a person? If I meet a non-believer on the street, and I preach Jesus to him/her, and I tell them that the only way they can be saved from their sin is to receive Jesus, they now have the knowledge of the truth, but does that knowledge save them? The answer to that is no. If someone receives the knowledge of the truth (the gospel message of salvation), and they sin willfully after receiving that knowledge, what this is saying is that there is no other way for them to be saved, no other sacrifice that will atone for their sin.
I'm sorry, but in no way does this verse teach that salvation can be lost. What the writer is saying is that you have been given the knowledge of the truth, the gospel of salvation, and that if you choose to sin willfully after receiving this knowledge, there is no other sacrifice for your sin. Going back into Judaism will not save you!
These men you mention, I am very well aware of. I do not follow them nor do I trust them.
To your question asking that "If someone has the freewill to choose to follow Jesus why would they be forbidden to have freewill to unfollow?"
If there is one command that we are to follow that would be sufficient and acceptable to God, it would be the command Jesus gave to His disciples where He says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
The command in this verse is "follow me." That's the command. The command to follow Him means 24/7, not when we choose to do so or not do so. However, as you alluded to, we do have free will and we can choose to disobey the command. But if we do so, will He not chastise us and bring us back into submission?
Hebrews 10:19 , Psalm 5:11-12, Hebrews 4 :16, 1 Peter 3:15,
Isaiah 50:4, 2 Peter 3:9, Eph 6:16-20, Psalm 19:14.
Psalm 91:4 kjv: He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be
thy shield and buckler.
I think one of the Christian band in Australia recently had a member denounce the faith. Ken Copeland was probably a legit follower originally but now looks demon possessed. Same with Duplantis, Osteen, and most others who have greed in their heart. If someone has the freewill to choose to follow Jesus why would they be forbidden to have freewill to unfollow? Many will be deceived.
Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
It says endure to the end, not endure to the beginning or middle when you prayed to start following Christ. It doesn't say you can sin and hurt people and stop following Jesus and commit blasphemy still be saved regardless of your obedience. Some just focus on one verse while ignoring all the other verses.
(Part 2):
So, these Hebrew people were given the knowledge of the truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they had a difficult choice to make, at least difficult for them. Many of them turned away from the truth and went right back into old Judaism because life would be much easier for them that way. No salvation there!
And that's what we see also in Hebrews 10:26. Hebrews was written to Hebrew people. There were three classes of people that were being addressed, Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along with the crowd and hearing the same message but had not yet made the decision to receive Jesus as their Savior or go back into Judaism.
So, the writer of Hebrews says, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
Again, receiving knowledge does not save anyone, and the writer is telling them that if they sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (the gospel message of salvation through Jesus), and they reject that knowledge and go back into Judaism because it was much easier, the writer tells them that there is no other sacrifice that will take away their sin.
Again, thanks for sharing these verses.
Blessings!
(Part 1):
Thank you for sharing these pieces of scripture. Perhaps you may have missed Hebrews 6:4-6 which is another verse, along with the ones you have shared, that some use to show that salvation can be lost. However, they all fall short of proving the loss of salvation.
In 2 Peter 2:20-22, Peter is speaking to Hebrew people. Nothing in these three verses show that Peter is referring to saved individuals losing their salvation.
A person can receive knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel message of salvation and still never surrender their life to Christ. This is the same thing we see in Hebrews 10:26. Knowledge of the truth does not save anyone. A person must receive Jesus Christ and be born of His Spirit in order to be saved.
If you ever do a study of Judaism and what it means for a Jewish person to receive Jesus as their Savior, it puts these scriptures you've shared into a much clearer perspective.
You see, for a Jewish person to receive Christ, they would be completely cut off from society. They would no longer be allowed in their temple, they would lose their job, and no one would hire them. Their own family would disown them. Their family would consider them dead and literally hold a funeral for them if they denounced Judaism and received Christ as their Savior.
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
2 Peter 2:21
"For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."
2 Peter 2:22
"But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Blessings
Chris has given you a good reply. However, if we examine the saying, "once saved, always saved," it can be true or false; we can use Scripture to support or refute it. So where does that leave us?
In John 3:16, it says that if we believe in Jesus, we will be saved. Jesus promises never to fail. Salvation is based on the grace of God, through faith, not by our efforts, Ephesians 2:8-9. Our salvation depends on the righteousness of Christ and God's mercy, Titus 3:5.
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23-24. We are justified not by works of the law but by faith, Galatians 2:16. We are called not because of our works but because of God's purpose and grace given to us through Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:9.
Our salvation is founded on our faith in Jesus Christ. In John 10:27-29, we are His sheep, hear His voice, follow Him, and are granted eternal life, which no one can take from His hand. Our salvation is secure because it relies on Jesus' work. As Hebrews 10:23 states, we are to hold fast to our faith without wavering because He is faithful.
Conversely, there is the risk of apostasy or falling away. Luke 8:4-15 illustrates this. In verse 13, it describes someone who received the word with joy and believed for a while but fell away when tempted. This person was a believer who later turned away; individuals can walk away on their own.
We must live by faith and be led by the Spirit. Paul says in Colossians 1:23, "If ye continue in the faith." We also see in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 about the great falling away when the beast rises, along with many other verses too numerous to list that emphasize we must endure to the end, like Revelation 2:10, also we are told to hold fast. If we remain strong in our faith, nothing can take our salvation away.
I understand that some say those who fall away were never truly saved, but I do not see that supported by Scripture, and it may be false hope for one who is weak.
God bless,
RLW
However, I must also add a word of exhortation and admonition: we are called to be the salt of the earth ( Hebrews 10:25), just as other passages in Scripture speak about being conformed to the image of Christ and the continual transformation of believers,
The Bible emphasizes the importance of wise choices and the pursuit of God's will in every area of our lives. This processs "unfolds" throughout the Christian walk, and it is something we recognize and witness in one another. how we know all this
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are instructed to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways so that He may make our paths straight.To avoid being too vague, what I've found so ffar is that we should not pretend to build friendships only to evangelize. I n addition, in 1 Corinthians 7:7, the apostle Paul acknowledges that difffferent people have diffferent gifts.
So I hope this adds something meaningful, as it's also something I've been observing.
May God bless us and help us.
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
Thank you very much!
Hebrews 10:36 Continued:
We have to understand that Satan does what he does in our lives to bring us to a point of discouragement so that we voluntarily, in our own decision making, say I quit, I've had it, I been going through this for so long. The need is for endurance. And the book of James teaches us how God develops in us a faith to endure the long term.
So, whatever you and I might be going through today, and in fact, you might think that your life is going along pretty well, but just know that Satan is there just like an ice pick on that big cube of ice just chipping away, little by little. He wears us down.
So, it's not so much being satisfied today that we have trusted the Lord and have done pretty well, but realize that Satan has an entire method or system of attacks. That's what Paul says in Ephesians Chapter 6 about the wiles of the devil, which is the word METHODEA, and is where we get our word methods from.
It could be that the first five or ten trials that come to your life by Satan are just setting you up. It doesn't have anything to do with the real knockout punch that Satan wants to give. He'll wear us down just like a boxer with his jab, punching, punching, punching, so he can land the knockout punch.
So, remember this, that Satan's desire is to wear us down so that we quit, and we don't want to follow the Lord and trust the Lord anymore, because it's just "too hard." You have need of endurance, he says, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:36 - For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For ye have need of patience. Wow! This is one I'd like to cut out and paste on my refrigerator! He's saying you have need of patience. The word patience in the Greek text (HUPOMONE) means to endure, to remain under. Every one of us has what is called a short term and a long term in relation to situations in life.
We see it in the book of Job. Job did great in the short term, even in the midst of some terrible suffering. He lost his family members. He lost some of his possessions. He even lost his health. But he continued to praise the Lord. He would not speak against God.
But then as his health problems continued to linger on, and three of his so-called friends showed up, when they arrived, Job was looking so terrible in his health that they just sat there for an entire week just staring at him and not saying anything. But as time went on, and as the three friends began to share their philosophies and try to figure out what Job did wrong to make him suffer so, even Job began to waiver.
The first thing a trial and tribulation does for us is teach us how to endure the short term. Our greatest need is to endure the long term. The word persecution in Greek (DIOKO) means to chase, to pursue. That's what Satan does to God's people. He does not capture them. He chases them.
And the difference is that Satan chases, and when we're going along strong, he can't do anything about it. He can't catch up with us. But once we begin to weaken, get discouraged, he wants us to slow down, not so that he can capture us because he can't.
Hebrews 10:26 Continued
So, they are being told that if you go back into old Judaism, you're not going to find any sacrifice there that's going to take care of your sin problem if you leave Christ. You see, they had a choice to make. They could either surrender to Christ, knowing that they would be persecuted and ostracized by their own family and fellow Jews, or, they could go back and remain in Judaism. So, they received the knowledge of the truth, and now they are being told that they either receive Jesus as their Messiah (Savior), or they can go back into their old sacrificing that can never take away their sin.
So, this verse does not teach that a saved person can lose their salvation as some claim!
Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
This is another section of scripture that I believe is very important. This is one of the verses in the Bible that some use to show that salvation can be lost.
It says, "For if we sin willfully, that is, we go back to serving the principle of sin, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth," and again, we saw back in Chapter 6 those who were enlightened, that are no longer coming for fellowship. But just because they were enlightened doesn't mean they're saved. The Lord can enlighten someone as to the knowledge of the truth, they know the truth, they have seen the truth, they understand the truth but have never surrendered their life to Christ.
It goes on to say, "Now if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins."
The writer is speaking to Hebrew people here. These people were following along within a mixed group of Hebrews, and they were all hearing the same truth. So, this crowd consisted of Hebrew believers, Hebrew non-believers, and Hebrew people who were following along and receiving the knowledge of truth, probably agreeing with what they were hearing, but would not denounce Judaism and surrender their life to Christ because they knew what this would mean if they did. They would be rejected by their own family, they would no longer be allowed in their temple, they wouldn't be able to work, and they would be severely persecuted if they surrendered to Christ.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Some of these Hebrews who have been enlightened to the truth but have never been saved are thinking of going back into old Judaism. If you remember back in Chapters 4 and 5, what is the confession of our faith? There are two things. Number one, Jesus Christ is our apostle. He is the one who has come from God and represents God to us. The second thing in our confession as believers is that Jesus Christ is our high priest.
Now you can imagine a Hebrew or Jewish person making that confession in and amongst the other Hebrew and Jewish people who have rejected Christ as Messiah. That's going to create problems! And so that's why he says let's hold firm, the profession or confession of our faith; (for he is faithful that promised;) That's the Lord!
Thirdly, the third hortatory, or encouragement, is in Verse 24.
Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
And let us consider one another. KATANOEO is the Greek word, and it has to do with having a perception upon others. Perceive what others are going through.
And we are to consider one another for two things: Number one, for provoking. Let us consider one another for provoking. In fact, the word provoke in Greek means to irritate, and there are a lot of Christians who are home on that one!
To irritate unto love and to good works: The word good is the word for right, correct works, doing things right in the eyes of the Lord. So, unto love and to good works.