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I know, because I was very disturbed by this passage when I was a new believer (as much as I was by Matthew 7:21-23, and even more than I was by Hebrews 6:4-6).
Unfortunately, the historical context alone did almost nothing to calm my fears concerning those verses because, as much as I would have liked to have been able to do so, dismissing the verses, as if they were true for certain Christians (on the one hand), but not true for me somehow (on the other), didn't make sense or seem like it could possibly be true to me.
That said, when I finally understood what those passages were 'actually' saying, and who they were actually written about, I realized that I had no reason to fear or despair any longer because of them
Why would anyone tell a Christian who is in despair that they are w/o hope because of some sin that they are struggling with That said, Hebrews 10:26-27 is hardly concerned with just any sin, is it! Instead, its exclusive concern is with those whose continually reject Jesus Christ and refuse to accept Him as their Lord and Savior (even though they know and understand the truth about who He really is).
So, the folks being discussed in v26-27 are not Christians struggling in despair, rather, they are non-Christians who do not care
Should we stroke the despair My answer would be, "of course not", but that doesn't seem like a question that requires an answer!
If a Christian is in despair because of a sin that they are struggling with, and this passage is making things worse for them (due to their misunderstanding about what it actually teaches), I still believe that what needs to be done (first and foremost) is to help them come to an understanding of the truth (about why true believers 'never' need to despair over sin, even if a passage like Hebrews 10 is before them, rather, they simply need to confess it .. 1 John 1:9, over and over again, as needed .. cf Matthew 18:21-22).
I would tell them that it is a good thing that they are worried about their sin and want to repent of it, because that's what true Christians do whenever we realize that we've sinned. I think I would also explain that when we sinned as non-believers, we did so ~according~ to our fallen nature, but whenever we sin now, as believers, we are acting ~against~ our new nature instead, so sinning is never comfortable or fun for us (like it was prior to coming to saving faith). So again, helping them to understand that being upset/contrite over their sin, and then confessing it and seeking to be forgiven of it because they are, is one of the signs that tells us that we are who we claim and believe ourselves to be As pastor/theologian Arthur W. Pink once said,
"It is not the absence of sin, but the grieving over it, which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors."
As for the worry that they are experiencing because of their misunderstanding of Hebrews 10:26-27, I would make sure that they understand that this passage has nothing to do with Christians like them, not because of its historical context, but instead, because v26-27 is referring ~specifically~ to those who (unlike them) reject/refuse to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (which means that this passage could not be talking about Christians). That's where I'd start anyway
Yikes, it's late here. This is going to make for an interesting Sunday morning ..
God bless you!
--David
I agree with what you're saying in that no one would despair over this passage who really cares. Those who don't care, just don't care. So, when someone despairs on account of this passage that definitely needs to be pointed out.
But, I disagree that it need not be pointed out that this passage was written for specific people in a specific situation, i.e. 1st Jewish Christians who were still relying on the temple sacrifice. That is exactly what allowed me to let go of the despair related to this passage.
So, I guess we'll just have to disagree on that point and thank God neither of us are in despair.
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