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Losing It...


           If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26 to 31)

          Today’s passage is one of those cited by people who believe that salvation can be lost. Its logic also follows for the person who hears and understands the gospel message and says, “Nope, not for me.” Which ever way you believe, the point is clear: The Lord is going to judge.
          There is also an answer here for those who ask, “What about those who haven’t heard?” The author of Hebrews suggests that there are worst judgments, and worse judgments. It will be worst for those who hear the truth, understand the truth, and say (usually in less polite terms,) “Nope, not for me.” It will be merely worse for those who have some moral law available to guide them and reject that. By extension, it is likely to be less than that for people who have only the natural world as a guide and reject God on the basis of that. 
           For those who are upset that those who never heard might suffer for their ignorance, the answer isn’t to angrily denounce God. That does nothing to change anyone’s circumstances for the better. Rather, if you care about those folks, seek God’s forgiveness for yourself and go to those people, pleading with them to seek God’s forgiveness.
          More to the point of the passage, however; if you have heard the gospel message and you understand it, don’t reject it. Don’t go on doing what is wrong. As Wisdom says (Proverbs) “Turn from your folly and live.”  This is especially a warning to those who claim to be Christians yet reject the teachings of Scripture. Knowing the truth can set you free, but only if you apply it. If you reject it, it can’t help you.

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