A Fearful Thing

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised); And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:19-31

One may think of many things that are considered fearful: heights, enclosed places, dogs, clowns, water and a number of other things, but nothing that can be contemplated is as fearful as that described in verse thirty-one of Hebrews chapter ten, “IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.” This in view of the context is an unprepared state.

The book of Hebrews was written to try to prevent this tragedy.  The Hebrew Christians were struggling with their faith and were in danger of letting their salvation slip away, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Heb. 2:1.  They therefore were admonished to take heed in view of the danger they faced “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Heb. 3:12.  The result of such action would be coming short of God’s eternal rest “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1.

We cannot help but ask, why is this happening? One may offer many reasons, but from the internal evidence of the book it seems the reason was a lack of spiritual maturity.  “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14. In Hebrews chapter six they are admonished to go on to perfection “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” v. 1.

In Hebrews 10:19-31 the writer does two specific things: from verses 19-25 he admonishes them: 1. they have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. 2. They have a new and living way consecrated by his sacrifice 3. They have a High Priest over the house of God (not of the Levitical order) 4. They are to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith 5. They are to hold the profession of our faith without wavering 6. Consider one another to provoke unto love and good works 7. Forsaking not the assembling of yourselves together 8. Exhort one another. In verses 26-31 he warns them of sinning willfully: 1. There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. 2. Fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. 3. Those who turn their back on the gospel will receive greater punishment than those who rejected Moses law. 4. Those who become unfaithful to the gospel: trod underfoot the Son of God, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified an unholy thing and done despite to the Spirit of grace. 5. The Lord will judge His people and take vengeance. 6. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

As one reads this section of scripture, one cannot help but wonder how they could persist in their present state. With such persuasion presented throughout the book you would think the Christians to whom this book was written would be moved to faithfulness. The arguments and the persuasion were no doubt sufficient. If they were not persuaded the weakness was not there it was in their heart.

What about Christians today? Why do they show their lack of faithfulness and devotion and commitment on Sunday mornings, evening and Wednesday evenings, by laying up in bed instead of getting ready for worship or spend their time going somewhere else or doing something else other than being where they should be, worshiping the God who saved them. Where is the priority? Who is being put first? Why can we not worship on Sunday because of a headache, soreness, upset stomach, etc. but it does not affect our shopping, working or anything else we chose to do. Wonder why that is? Will God understand? That is for Him to decide, but what if he doesn’t? Maybe we should ask ourselves these questions: 1. Will God accept second or third place in our lives? Matthew 6:33 2. Does God expect us to deny ourselves in serving Him? Matthew 16:24 3. Will God accept my excuses when I stand before Him? John 12:48 4. Do I put forth my best to serve Him and be faithful in my worship? Hebrews 10:25 5. If I were to pass tonight would it be a fearful thing for me to fall into the hands of the living God?

EXAMINE YOURSELVES 2 CORINTHIANS 13:5

Bill Cantrell