SINNING WILLFULLY
Hebrews 10.26-31
This is one of very important subject of Paul writings revealing that it is a big difference who sin unwillingly or unknowingly and those who sin willingly and knowingly after receiving the Knowledge of Truth (26). This means being Enlightened (32) in the new Covenant of the Gospel of Christ, but returns back to the world and "who has trampled under foot the Son of GOD" (29) by joining and immersing in the iniquities, wickedness, evil, and transgressions of this world forgetting the Light of Christ and joy of His brightness of Truth, Justice, and Love.
Such people "insulted the Spirit of Grace" for which they will incur on themselves the "vengeance" (30) of GOD, Who will repay for the betrayal and insult of those who have been Enlightened and "tasted of the Heavenly Gift...Good Word of GOD" of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, and turned his/her back on Him "it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of GOD and put Him to open shame." (Hebrews 6.4-6).
This all means that no one can be sure in his or her own salvation, because we do not know ourselves, and we do not know what we are doing, and we do not know where we are standing before our GOD and what He is thinking of us. We, thinking about ourselves that we are right and good, but we may be very wrong about our own assessment and evaluation of ourselves, and reassuring ourselves that we are saved, relying only on the slogans and banners of the Bible and general promises of GOD to those who are truly His disciples, followers, and believers, and this we do besides the fact that we do not know the Opinion of GOD concerning us.
If those who experience in their life the greatest experience ever known to mankind by being filled with the Holy Spirit of GOD and perform miracle unimaginable for human beings, and then fall away from the Lord, how much more for those who are not experienced even a fraction of all these great miracles, signs, and performances of the Holy Spirit in them, and claimed that they are faithful to GOD and already saved?
1Peter 4.17-18
17. The time has come for judgment to begin with the household of GOD, if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the Gospel of GOD?
18. And: ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?’ (Proverbs 11.31) NRSV.
Of course, far not all sins lead to punishment by death, but some particular sins cannot be forgiven, and a person "dies without mercy" (28).
Even Judas who betrayed Christ repented by dropping the pieces of silver on the floor of the Temple, but he was not forgiven and died in terrifying Judgment (27).
31. "It is a terrifying ("fearful" NRSV) thing to fall into the hands of the Living GOD."
~ 26-31. See: Hebrews 6.4-6.
38. 'But My righteous one *shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2.4) (Hebrews 10.38), and if he **shrinks back (Psalm 119.113) (Ecclesiast 5.4) (Luke 9.62) (Hebrews 10.38), My Soul (NRSV, KSB, KJV, ESV, KSB, Russian. GNB "I will not") has no pleasure in him.'
~ 38. *By Faith in the Laws of GOD one shall live: (Ezekiel 18.9) (Habakkuk 2.4) (Galatians 3.11) (Romans 1.17) (Hebrews 10.38).
~ 38. **Shrinks back: (Luke 9.62) (Ephesians 3.12) (Hebrews 10.38) (Psalm 119.113) (Ecclesiast 5.4).
BETTER POSSESSIONS
Hebrews 10.34-36
34. You showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
This is very common persecution in our world when godless authorities persecute, take property, torture, and even kill disloyal to them citizens, or frightened by opponents' ideology, or by their religion, or by the way of their thought. This happened, still happening, and will be happen to Jews and to Christians who stand firm in their believes, principals, and ideals of their Faith, the Faith which is not always confirm to the ideology and agenda of ruling classes and worldly authorities.
According to all the Warnings of GOD, of the prophets, of the Apostles of Christ, and of Revelation of John, this is exactly that had happened, happens now, and will happen in the future to all who believe in Christ.
But our Hope is not in vain, because He Who gave us His Promises is Faithful (23). Our physical material possession will not last, it will decay or will possess by others during our lifetime or after our death. We will take nothing with us then we will depart from this Earth, even our bodies will be left here.
But our spirit will inherit much more in the Kingdom of GOD than we have on Earth, we will inherit Everlasting Life and everything what come with it. We will be rich in spirit and wealthy in Love and Faith like never before, which will give us the true Happiness, Pleasure, Gladness, Satisfaction, and such Joy in GOD that we never experienced before.
35. "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward.
36. You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of GOD, you may receive what was promised."
It is proves again and again that every single promise and every single word of GOD is Conditional, and in order to be saved, a person must first fulfill his\her own obligations to GOD, which means to follow His Statutes and His Commandments and do them for the rest of their lives, and only then receive his/her Reward of Salvation and Eternal Life with their GOD.
