Dear Roger,
“I was reading Hebrews 10:19-26. Does verse 26 refer to repeated sins I commit? Do I keep following 1John 1:9 to take care of my sins?
Sincerely, Steve
Dear Steve,
Hebrews 10:19-26 has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with repeated sins that Christians commit after becoming Christians.
The theme of Hebrews is that Jesus is the only Savior and those who reject Him and His sacrifice have nowhere else to turn for salvation.
Let me explain verse 26 to make this clear. Let’s look at this verse phrase by phrase:
First Phrase:
Hebrews 11:26: “If we deliberating keep on sinning after we have rejected the knowledge of the truth…” refers to those who reject the Gospel and keep on rejecting.
Second phrase:
“no sacrifice for sins is left” means that those who choose not to receive Christ have nowhere else to turn to have their sins forgiven.
Third phrase:
“but only a fearful expectation of Judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God…” The meaning here is obvious. Continually rejecting Christ will result in Judgment and Hell fire at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). By the way, don’t miss the fact that those who reject Christ are described as enemies of God.
Now, let me address your second question, “Do I keep following 1 John 1:9 to take care of my sins?”
As a pastor I find much confusion among Christians regarding the meaning of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse speaks to Christians who sin after conversion.
When we bow before the cross and receive Christ we know for certain that all of our past sins are forgiven. God also forgave all the sins we would commit in the future! Can you imagine that we might one day do something to cause God to say in surprise, “I can’t believe what Roger just did down there on earth! I never saw that sin coming! I’ll have to take his salvation and eternal life away!” No, of course not! Psalm 103:12 is the operative verse here: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us.” Read John 3:1-21 and Hebrews 9:11-15 for more truth concerning forgiveness of sin at the cross.
1 John 1:9 deals with our post-conversion sins that dirty up our inner spirits and impair our ability to see and hear from God. Jesus declared in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” We can’t see God clearly when our hearts are dirtied by sin. Confession, as described in 1 John 1:9, is God’s method for cleaning up our dirty sins so that we can again see and hear God when He speaks deep within our souls.
Well, Steve, thanks for the good question. I hope this answer helps. Ask me another soon.
God bless you and thanks for taking such good care of the Golden and the Corgi!
Love, Roger