Deconstruction or Defiance?
We are chugging right along through the Bible this year. Today’s reading is Hebrews 10. I had to pause when I read:
‘Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, “” will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ‘Hebrews 10:26-31
I think about the types of sin and deliberately continuing to sin. The last verse is particularly scary:
“It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
The author isn’t talking about us falling short, struggling with our own failings. He is talking to believers who know the truth and reject it—a continual, deliberate rejection of Christ and His sacred sacrifice. A good example of this is the social media trend called “faith deconstruction,” in which people leave the church and abandon their Christian faith and post videos.
‘Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. Hebrews 10:29
This verse aligns perfectly with 1 John 5:16. Both passages speak to the gravity of willfully rejecting God’s truth. In Hebrews, the warning is about deliberately continuing to sin after knowing the truth and its consequences. Similarly, 1 John 5:16 refers to a kind of sin that leads to death, implying that some sins have grave spiritual consequences. Together, these scriptures highlight the importance of not taking God’s grace for granted and remaining faithful after receiving the truth.
‘If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. ‘
1 John 5:16
We have to remain faithful; we never know when our next breath will be our last. Today’s verse is Psalm 34:14.
‘Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.’
Psalms 34:14
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day, for your unfailing love. The precious blood of Jesus Christ, who makes us right with you. Help us to seek you wholeheartedly today, to depart from our sinful desires and impulses.
Help us to stay in hot pursuit of the Prince of Peace! In Jesus name we pray, amen.