Attitudes toward sin
Can you please explain Hebrews 10:26? I always thought that the sacrifice of Jesus provided infinite forgiveness from sins. I heard a Lutheran say that the verse is speaking of apostasy to the faith, though am very confused by it. I am very confused by Hebrews 10:26, to the point of feeling despair because I feel like I am not good enough to go to heaven.
“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” (Hebrews 10:26-27). Jesus’ work as Savior has won forgiveness for all sins. Through faith in Jesus we personally enjoy the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
The writer to the Hebrews speaks of people who forfeit the forgiveness of sins through impenitence. These are people who “received the knowledge of the truth.” They know from Scripture what God’s will is, but they “deliberately keep on sinning.” There is no confession of sin, no struggle against sin, no desire to stop sinning.
How different that attitude is from the child of God who struggles against temptation and sin (Romans 7:15-25). When the child of God falls into sin, he or she confesses sin, receives the forgiveness of sins through faith and resolves to wage war against sin all the more.
Like you, I feel I am not good enough to go to heaven. No, I know I am not good enough to go to heaven. Thankfully, Jesus was perfect in our place. In addition, Jesus took on himself the punishment our sins deserved. Now, through faith in Jesus God sees us as righteous and holy in his sight. Because of Jesus, we presently enjoy forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Because of Jesus, we can look forward in confidence to an eternity of joy and glory with God.