A godly fear?

Receiver · Mar 3, 2014

Krillin said:
... Not a fear that makes me want to run away from God, but one that makes me want to run towards him. Is this a good sign? Can unsaved people feel this?

Yes, but feelings come and go, like the believers in Acts 8:5-16 who still needed to receive what the disciples received at Pentecost.

Jesus said to the disciples: "you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8)

Here's what happened: "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (2v4)

Have you received the same?

These people all have.

Contacts.

Shattered-Reflections · Mar 3, 2014

BFine said:
Much of this brings to my mind the story of the prodigal son---

Exactly

Both are the father's son, that never changed -- even though both believed their sonship status was earned, both rejected the father, both only wanted the father's wealth not the father himself. One of them came to his senses and was welcomed home. The father absorbed the debt and the shame, to welcome him back into the family. The other son wouldn't come home out of religious pride. Even then the father pleads with him, because he is his son. The father just wants his sons to come home, to accept and know his love and join the celebration.

More on this story: Redeemer Sermon Store: The Prodigal God

Krillin · Mar 3, 2014

Shattered-Reflections said:
Krillin... I am SO glad you brought this up <3 This is one of the very passages that utterly tripped me up <3

The problem with Hebrews is how technical and heavy with Judaic history, it's easy to dismiss the context. But -- you need to understand the context and who and why the letter was written to. Hebrews was written to a Jewish-Christian audience, it was written to a group who were reverting back to the old Mosaic law, Jewish tradition, and ceremonial washing to feel "saved". It was their heritage, their history, but it became their comfort blanket even though they had Christ. Instead of become more mature, they were stuck on Christian basics that overlapped with Judaism. Hebrews is this huge letter that is saying, "Jesus is greater than all these things! He died for your sins once and for all!! You are saved by faith!". He's trying to explain that the old law wasn't complete but a shadow of things to come, it was inferior to the permanent, eternal sacrifice of Christ. He's trying to explain to these Jewish-Christians that Christ sacrifice is enough. There is no "sin offering" you can give ayfter Christ died, because no ritual, no washing, no dietary restrictions, nothing you can do can add to the "superior" way that is faith in Christ. Nothing to add to give it more power or effectiveness, nor anything you can do to replace this "superior" way. Once you're a Christian, and you try to tack-on extra or alternatives salvations/repentances, it's like trying to nail Christ to the cross again! It's an insult to Christ and dangerous thinking! (This is the same issues seen in Galatians and other letters.) But the author takes great lengths to explain this in a way they can understand. He is gentle & patient with them. While he gravely warns them he encourages them by telling them he doesn't believe they are,

These Jewish-Christians were stuck in a rut going over basics and leaning on Judaism, they were rebuked by the author for being immature and needing milk in Chapter 5. At the start of chapter 6 he's pleading with them to be able to move on to greater things than the basics of Christianity. He warns them again in chapter 10, gives cases of faith in chapter 11, and encourages them to move "fixing our eyes on Jesus" in chapter 12. They still weren't getting "grace" and "saved by faith". Ironically Hebrew is really a letter of grace, I never saw that until my church started a study on it (we're still in it, we're going line-by-line lol). They were immature Christians, who weren't growing or maturing, that's a dangerous place to be. That is the warning here, that you have Christ alone, there is nothing more. So don't get caught up endlessly in rituals and Christians basics and never moving on.

Hebrews 13

If you really look at Hebrews for what the author is trying to argue, it starts to become clear. But when we're weak in faith and unsure of our salvation, all we hear is judgment because we still don't fully understand God's love.

1 John 4:18-19

This passage talking about judgment in another letter that feels "condemning". But it says, we are no longer afraid of judgment when the love of Christ is "perfect" or "mature" in us. And we can't begin to love, until we know how much he first loved us.

Also if you really believe that a Christian can't sin and repent we can go over that

Because of time issues: Here's a study on the chapter if you want a piece-by-piece dissection of chapter 6.

Text Commentaries: David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible: Hebrews)

If you don't agree or believe me, okay, but then go and do your own research. Look up studies and scholars I know it's really hard to accept so I don't expect you to just feel okay overnight. But I know how much this little bit helped me, because I knew I had the Holy Spirit but willfully exchanged the truth of God for a lie and didn't care. So if you are condemned, so am I But I now know that isn't true <3 God has shown what was really wrong in my life, before I fell into obvious sins , it was an subtle, invisible but destructive idolatry of good things. God let me fall flat on my face because it was the only way for me to see I wasn't holding onto Him. I didn't even realize this fully until a few weeks ago. He has shown me He is working in my life and wants me. My only worry is that you believe Jesus can't save and you never looked back believing that.

Just remember, Hebrews is a letter. It's meant to be read from start to finish. Not in chunks. You take it out of context, yeah it sounds condemning as heck. The author is not talking about one subject and then BOOM, random "fire and brimstone". These things are connected to each other, there is a topic. If you understand it as a letter and the argument the author is making, his warning is much clearer.

I was writing an overview of Hebrews for you. But it was getting really long and taking too long to write. I might post later if I have time to finish it Otherwise, you may just need to do your own digging.

I understand what you are saying, but the law applies to everyone, not just who he may have been writing to. We've all broken his law, right? So that part of Hebrews could still apply to anyone in the world who has turned away.

But again, I do see what you are saying which is, if i understand correctly, that even if I have committed this grievous act of pusing God out of my life to be swallowed up again by sin and worldliness yet again I should still run back to him.

What you've said has been a big help. Thank you.

Im still not sure where i am. But it has still helped.

Shattered-Reflections · Mar 4, 2014

Krillin said:
I understand what you are saying, but the law applies to everyone, not just who he may have been writing to. We've all broken his law, right? So that part of Hebrews could still apply to anyone in the world who has turned away.

Thank you for your reply Krillin

Hebrews isn't declaring a new rule or law (if it was, than we have a contradiction or we don't understand it).

Saying Hebrews is condemning Christians who have become entangled in sin and have lost their way, is like saying the NT condones new world slavery. Or that wives should be submissive means husbands can be abusive or controlling. Or that homosexuals, or murders, or thieves can't be forgiven and receive grace. Or that because Grace sets us free, we can do whatever we want. Taken out of context of the letter, of the NT, and of the Bible, scripture can literally means anything. So you must understand the context.

We look at the Bible from a biased, selfish, prejudice perspective. We take things out of context because we're making our feelings or logic king and the ultimate authority. We see a few condemning passage and say, Ah, that's it! That's what's wrong, God is disgusted with me! There can be no other explanation! instead of realizing that, times of silence, dryness, darkness, numbness, and feeling sperated is not a sign of God's contempt but that God's teaching us and disciplining us to allow us to see and grab onto real grace.

Yes, this letter applies to us too. This letter would have been circulated amoug the churches for everyone's benefit --but what is Hebrews saying? It was written about a particular issue. What was that issue? Was the issue that they were Christians but were falling back into sin? Or was the issue about how they were falling back on old practices and rituals to deal with their sin and guilt? Were they not trading the truth of Jesus for inferior things that can never save? To the point someone felt the need to write one of the longest letters of the NT to explain to them that Christ alone saves, not their rituals.

And what does the Bible say? We are no longer under God's law, it's not that the old law is moot or unimportant (Hebrews explains it's value) or that Jesus never gave commandments to obey, but we are no longer saved or lost by how well you follow the law. The old covenant and the old law shows us that we are sinners and show us can't measure up. The Jews treated the law as a way to be right with God, but they were really right because of their faith and trust in God to do as He promised (chapter 11 of Hebrews). Jesus didn't come in and throw out some rules out and add some new ones. Like a bill to be paid, instead of changing the price or conditions he took the bill and said, "I got this, it's all on me." Christ fulfilled (paid for) the requirements (the debt) of God's law (the bill): A clean, faultless, and perfect sacrifice; a life for a life, blood for blood. So the law no longer divides us from God. Even if we could sacrifice ourselves on the alter, we're not clean and perfect. We can't save ourselves from our sins, we are hopeless. But God in his love and kindness, did what we never could. Before the law even came into play God had intended Christ to come save us, he was the original plan from the start. The law was there to set the stage, prepare the way so we understand why we needed Christ's sacrifice. The law points to Christ. This is what the Bible is saying, this is the context.

Yes, we all have broken the law. No one is good enough and we cannot fulfill the law. That is the whole point! That is why he cannot put hope in our own efforts to save ourselves, that is why if we fail we shouldn't be surprised. Christ sacrifice is NOT a second chance to get the law right with spiritual gifts and will-power and if we fall now there are no third or fourth chance. This is something different, it's a status change! it's adoption! It's sonship! It's citizenship! It's a marriage! For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness in health! We may be unfaithful, but God never is.

God is faithful
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses, but Gods unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9
God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Timothy 2:13
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.

Romans 3:3-4
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.

Comings back and forgiveness

1 Corinthians 5:5
Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.

The church or God allowing someone to have whatever their sinful desires are, is an act of tough love so that they may be saved, Not lost.

Galatians 6:1
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

James 5:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

James 5:15
Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

1 John 1:8-10
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 2:1-3
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sinsand not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Luke 17:3-4
If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.

2 Corinthians 2:5-8
I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to him and asked, Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?
No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!

Jesus says we should forgive people "completely" because God forgives our debt. If God requires us to forgive those who trespass us, won't he forgive us when we ask for forgiveness? Or is God a hypocrite?

Matthew 10:33
But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

Matthew 26:35
No! Peter insisted. Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you! And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Matthew 26:75
Suddenly, Jesus words flashed through Peters mind: Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me. And he went away, weeping bitterly.

John 21:17
A third time he asked him, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus said, Then feed my sheep.

Jesus was clear about if you deny Him, He will deny you. Peter did just that, not once but three times. Peter lied, Peter left Jesus for dead, Peter wanting nothing to do with Him. After His resurrection Jesus didn't expel Peter from the group, but instead humbled Peter by asking if he really, truly meant what he said. Didn't Jesus say he would deny him? Was Jesus a liar now? No, but why is that? Because Christ paid the debt, so when he says you're forgiven he has ALL authority to do so.

We All Fall Short

Romans 3

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of Gods glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

You are set free!
Galatians 5:

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and dont get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Shattered-Reflections · Mar 4, 2014

Krillin said:
But again, I do see what you are saying which is, if i understand correctly, that even if I have committed this grievous act of pusing God out of my life to be swallowed up again by sin and worldliness yet again I should still run back to him.

Yep, that is what I'm saying

It's not a license to sin, it's complete, unconditional, utter acceptance that doesn't depend on you. It is real love that gives us room to grow and mature. We can't stop sinning on our own, but the more we come to know His love and grace, the more the things of the world "grow strangely dim". When I came to understand grace, I did sin and trip up again and again, but instead of casting myself away from Him I kept walking towards Him. Even though I didn't feel saved, I just trusted it because my life was already forfeit and miserable. The more comfort I found in Him, the less I needed comfort from sin. The more I listened, the more I read, the more I understood Him and how utterly unselfish and loving He is, the more I didn't want to hurt Him. Strangely, I'm rarely tempted by the sin that utterly controlled me for years.

I know new and old temptations are going to come, I know I might rebell or fall back because life is hard; change is hard. And I know right now I'm not perfect. I may in part still be holding onto some idols, some greed, some lust, some fear, some shame, some rage, some need for control, some pride... But I no longer worry about my salvation. God is working in me and all I'm doing is trying to be open to whatever changes He'll bring my way. I know I come up short, but He still loves me anyways...

I'm not changing myself as much as he is changing me.

Philippians 3:8-9

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For Gods way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

I'm glad the last post helped some, it's okay that you're still unsure Krillin <3 You're not going to change over night. And It's not like you can just crammed all scripture into your head at once and understand it lol. (which I apologize if I've posted too much... ) It'll take time, just keep walking

That's all you can do. It took me 2 years of hearing "grace" and weeding out doubt before I accepted it and could start healing.

John 6:68-69

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.

Shattered-Reflections · Mar 4, 2014

Big picture overview:

Others can probably explain it better, but he's an overview. I've cut back as much as I could so you could get a quicker glimpse of what Hebrews is about.

Hebrews is a letter. It's meant to be read from start to finish. Not in chunks. You take it out of context, yeah it sounds condemning as heck. The author is not talking about one subject and then out-of-the-blue, random "fire and brimstone". These things are connect to each other, there is a topic.

Barring in mind what I said about the holistic point, read over this. If it's too much to deal with right now, that's fine

read this when you need/want to.

The chapters prior to 6 are about Jesus Christ being greater than angels, but made lower than angels to die on the cross. The significance of him dying on the cross. Resting in God. That Jesus was greater than Moses and how Jesus Christ is THE high priest we needed all along. The author goes to great length to explain through the Old Testament the reality and truth that Christ is superior.

Chapter 2

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Even in chapter 2 the Author is warning them not to drift away from the message they heard (the gospel), to not ignore the salvation that comes from Christ. Why was he warning them? Was it because they were caught up in sin? Or was it because of how they were addressing their sin?

Hebrews 13

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so

They were dealing with their guilt by reverting back to Judaism. Yes, sin is an issue, but the answer is Jesus not following rules.

Chapter 6 starts off with the word "Therefore", this is important because what's prior to that is attached to what he's about to say. This is the whole "you are immature and needing milk" because they are going over, and over on the basics!

Chapter 5

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of Gods word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Then it goes on to say, "Therefore, let us move on from the basic of things like repentance and faith" (if you're confused that a Christian can't repent or come back after accepting Christ, we can go into that). They know these things but they are endless focused on them. Then he points out they are already Christians, not just in name they have proof! They have salvation, they should be at peace and yet... they aren't moving on, they are stuck on rituals and repentance. So he warns them how dangerous it is to be in this situation, to reject Christ for inferior things.

Chapter 6,

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

If you take in the rain of "Grace" you will produce a crop, but "you no longer try to understand" they are more like the land of thorns and thistles. So what is making them like a barren land? Their sin? Or their lack of understanding that will eventually lead them into darkness?

Then after Chapter 6 it goes on more about the perfection of Jesus as our High priest and his blood sacrifice (relating to the blood sacrifice made in the holy of holies). He goes on to say how superior Christ and this new covenant is compared to the old.

Chapter 7

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthoodand indeed the law given to the people established that priesthoodwhy was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:

You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.[a]

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

...

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our needone who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Chapter 8

6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said.

It the author rebuking their sin, or their way of dealing with their sin? What is the problem the author is addressing here? What is he trying to warn them of?

Chapter 9

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritancenow that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.[e] 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in Gods presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Shattered-Reflections · Mar 4, 2014

Chapter 10

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are comingnot the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;

6
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.

7
Then I said, Here I amit is written about me in the scroll
I have come to do your will, my God.[a]

8 First he said, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with themthough they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, Here I am, I have come to do your will. He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

16
This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.

17 Then he adds:

Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.[c]

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

What is he trying to convince the readers here? Is it that if they sin after accepting Christ they are condemned? No? Then what is trying to get through to them? That sin cannot be appeased by offerings and rituals? That sin is forgiven not by our actions but what Christ has done?

Then he writes another "Therefore" and repeats the same warning from chapter 6. They have Christ through faith, so they should have confidence that the blood of Christ is enough, that they can come close to God. with assurance Then he warns them, that there is "no sin offering" after Christ. Not that there is no forgiveness, but there is no sacrifice after Christ. Nothing to add, everything else is inferior. He then highlights how ruthless the old covenant is, if you reject the law you were killed. If you reject Christ and his grace, what is there for you? Can anything else save you from your sin? He then goes on to remind them of when their first accepted Christ and the confidence they had. He reminds them that the righteous are saved by faith. Chapter 11 is all about faith in the OT.

Chapter 10

But my righteous[g] one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.[h]

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Click to expand...

After telling them about all the faith in the OT (and you KNOW these were not perfect men but sinners, like David). He encourages them to move on to greater things, "fixing our eyes on Jesus"

Chapter 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Click to expand...

Hebrews 13

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so

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Do you understand? Hebrews is an argument of the superior saving quality of Christ. Hebrews is NOT stating new theology about those who have sin and walked away, that is an ENTIRELY different subject; Hebrews isn't even addressing that! Hebrews is a warning to those who rely on religiosity like the Pharisees to feel right with God. I would argue those who refuse to accept Jesus are the ones who become barren. Those who are prideful & blind, those who rely on their own goodness, those whose hearts are so hard they can't see grace. This is a constant issue in Jesus's ministry, and a constant issue in the 1st century church they are not trusting that Christ can save them... whether because they feel their sins are too grievous, because of personal pride and wanting to feel good enough, or because they don't understand the message Christ has given them.

But even those blind "religious" people can come back and God is pleading with them to come home. He is harsh with them, but grace is for them too.

I say this elsewhere, but this is important:
Saying Hebrews is condemning Christians who have become entangled in sin and have lost their way, is like saying the NT condones new world slavery. Or that wives should be submissive means husbands can be abusive or controlling. Or that homosexuals, or murders, or thieves can't be forgiven and receive grace. Or that because Grace sets us free, we can do whatever we want. You need to realize we look at the Bible from a biased, selfish, prejudice perspective. We take things out of context because we're making our feelings or logic king; the leading authority. We see a few condemning passage and say Ah, that's it! That's what is wrong, God is disgusted with me! instead of realizing that, times of silence, dryness, darkness, numbness, and separation is not a sign of God's contempt but it's God teaching us and disciplining us to allow us to see and grab onto real grace.

Hebrews 12

My son, do not make light of the Lords discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

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Shattered-Reflections · Mar 6, 2014

Okay, I'm sorry for posting so much! I feel stupid for this, but my pastor reminded me of a scripture that's crucial on this issue. I would rather this be posted and the others deleted, it's that important.

I didn't think it would be useful because it was THE scripture that made me stumble in the past, but it holds a blatant key I forgot. So I'm really sorry...

In Matthew 12 Jesus casts out a demon from a man and heals his deaf ears and mute mouth. When the Pharisees heard the people wondering if Jesus was indeed the Son of David (the Messiah), they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” They called the power of the Holy spirit demonic. Jesus rebukes them fiercely for their illogical thought that Satan could drive out Satan and then he says:

Matthew 12

31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Right there, in Black & White: Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven. Even things said against Jesus Christ himself. There is nothing you can do that you can't be forgiven of. Until your dying breath you can ask for forgiveness!

The reason this troubled me was because I didn't understand what blaspheme meant in relation to the Spirit. I thought sinning deliberately = blasphemy against the Spirit. But it's sorrow that you bring to the Holy Spirit by the way you live (Ephesians 4:30). Research and context is important for understanding this. The Pharisees that spoke against the Holy Spirit were so hard hearted they didn't even recognize the power of God as from God. They saw the power of the Holy Spirit heal a man and called it evil. These are men who are so far gone, so cold, so shallow minded, so blind, so hard hearted they hurl insults at miracles and sneer at healing power. These are men who saw everything but lied and said they saw evil. Someone who could blaspheme the Spirit will never be someone wanting to reconcile with God, because they would never care. They would be too busy calling Christ an imposter and the Spirit demonic, all the while claiming to be wise and godly.

I didn't wholly accept this either at first, so I don't expect you to either. But I realized that no matter how hard and numb and sinful my heart was, I wanted God, and so I was not like these Pharisees. That is a start.

Further info on blasphemy : Blasphemy - Holman Bible Dictionary - Dictionaries - StudyLight.org

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