We are studying teachings and warnings, gleaned from the Book of Hebrews, that compel people to examine their faith and their walk with God. Let's continue to examine some dangerous things people do and the gospel-driven call to correct or protect that situation. Previously, we noted:

• Hebrews 2:1,3 - People let things "slip / drift away."


• Hebrews 3:6,14 - People do not "hold fast / firmly to our confidence" in Christ.


• Hebrews 3:8-13 - People harden their hearts.


• Hebrews 4:1-2 - People gain unprofitable knowledge of God's word.


• Hebrews 5:8 - 6:12 - People become lethargic and fruitless.

Now, we will consider …

Hebrews 10:26-39 - People trifle with the precious blood of Christ. Are they Apostates? Or are they Apathetic Christians?
See I Peter 1:13-23; II Peter 2:20-22; I John 2:18-19; 3:1-10 cp. I John 1:5 - 2:6

Hebrews 10:1-14 - From Shadows to the Actual Substance.
The old covenant was a shadow of something better to come. The light of the gospel shines on the substance and defines the shadow's true significance. The new covenant with Christ has a permanent mediator / priest and a permanent sacrifice. This substance is of lasting value and effect - eternal salvation by one offering. The shadowy offerings of the old covenant only served as a reminder of sins and sinfulness. They taught us that innocent blood had to be shed in order for the guilty to be reconciled. See Hebrews 8:1-6; Colossians 2:16-17 cp. II Corinthians 4:6.

Hebrews 10:15 -18 - A Perfect Offering Has Perfect Results: Remission and Regeneration.
The perfect and permanent offering of Christ's body brings a perfect and permanent forgiveness. It has life-changing results, giving people a new mind and heart. There will be no need for any more offerings for sins. Jesus paid it all. Jesus completes the work that He starts in us. See Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 5:1-11; II Corinthians 5:14-17,21; Revelation 1:5-6.

Hebrews 10:19-25 - A New and Living Way Draws Us Together to Follow the Lord.
Picturing the old covenant shadows of the priesthood and the tabernacle / temple, Christ is seen as our high priest, whose blood has made it possible to take away our sins and give us all access into the Holy of Holies. We can fellowship with the Lord without fear. The references to sprinkling and the washing of water (Hebrews 10:22) have nothing to do with any form of baptism. They are references to various aspects of the tabernacle / temple - describing the clean status we hold with God through the blood of Christ, the word of the gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit (John 15:3; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 1:6-7; 5:25-26; Titus 3:5-7). We followers of Christ also unite with one another (Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 3:12-17; I John 1:1-7; 2:18-27; 3:23).

Hebrews 10:26-31 - The Fearful Warning of Trifling with God and the Gospel of His Son.
This portion of Scripture is not only fearful; it is full of difficult expressions that require comparing Scripture with Scripture. Some particular phrases could be taken in diverse ways. But the overall message can be plainly understood:

The sin of turning away from God's gospel, the Son of God, the blood of His covenant, and the gracious Spirit of God is apostacy (i.e. abandonment, renunciation, rebellion against the truth of God and all that is holy). Some may backslide and drift temporarily, but God will correct them and bring them back (Philippians 3:15). However, in a "willful / deliberate" state of apostacy, a person is hardened and full of contempt for that which is precious, sacred, and holy. They have utterly forsaken the assembly of the saints (Hebrews 10:25; I John 2:18-19). They are "adversaries / enemies" of the gospel of Christ and His cross (Hebrews 10:27; Philippians 3:18-19). Because they have known the truth and now despise it, they shall receive the most severe punishment from God (II Thessalonians 1:7-9; II Peter 2:9-22).

God's use of this Scripture is at least two-fold.

1) God can use this passage to alarm a person who is lost (particularly a person who has been religious) and bring them to repentance and salvation. A true apostate has been given over by God to reprobation and will not come to repentance and salvation (Romans 1:21-22,28; II Timothy 2:24-26).

2) God can use this passage to alarm an erring child of God who has become apathetic, or is under the influence of the world and, in the weakness of the flesh, has succumbed to pride, fear and doubt (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Before we look at how to respond to this passage, let us mention one particularly difficult phrase, "… and has counted / regarded / treated the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified an unholy / common / profane / unclean thing …" (Hebrews 10:29). Some suggest that it is Christ who was sanctified (i.e. set apart for God's holy purpose) by going to the cross and shedding His blood (John 17:19). Others see the sanctification as merely the outward separating of oneself when they commit to the gospel. The person, who is now an apostate, had followed the outward form of godliness for some time when they had believed the truth of Christ's blood (II Timothy 3:1-5). This cannot be a true and internal sanctification. Otherwise it would have continued (Hebrews 10:10). A truly sanctified person in Christ would have been corrected and guided by their Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21; John 6:37-40; 10:27-30). One thing is for sure. The precious sanctifying blood of Christ / the blood of His cross should never be treated with contempt (I Peter 1:13-23; Galatians 2:20; 6:14; Ephesians 1:3-7; Titus 2:11-14; I Corinthians 1:18-24; 2:1-5).

Hebrews 10:32-34 - Take Inventory of Yourself. Is Your Faith and Your Experience Fake?
See I Corinthians 15:1-2; II Corinthians 13:5.

Hebrews 10:35-39 - The Call to Deliberately Go Forward with Christ.
See Hebrews 6:11-12; Philippians 3:14-15; II Peter 1:2-12; Hebrews 12:1-3, 12-15, 28-29.