No More Forgiveness?

“For if we sin wilfully 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.” Hebrews 10:26-27

Many use the above verse to teach that if we make one willful mistake after accepting salvation we are doomed. The plan of salvation is total victory over sin. Sin is nothing to be trifled with for, “What we do not overcome, will overcome us and work out our destruction (Steps to Christ 32). However, in Hebrews, the sin Paul is addressing is not sin as defined in 1 John 3:4, which is breaking the Ten Commandments. The sin Paul is addressing in Hebrews is defined in John 16:7 as the sin of unbelief. Paul wrote the entire book of Hebrews to confirm the faith of the Christians that Jesus was indeed the Messiah even though He has not returned as quickly as they were hoping. He explains Jesus’ “delay” in returning by explaining what he must first accomplish in the sanctuary before His return. Then he strongly cautions them against unbelief in Jesus as the Messiah as there will not be another Savior or sacrifice for sins.

“In rejecting Christ the Jewish people committed the unpardonable sin; and by refusing the invitation of mercy, we may commit the same error. We offer insult to the Prince of life, and put Him to shame before the synagogue of Satan and before the heavenly universe when we refuse to listen to His delegated messengers, and instead listen to the agents of Satan, who would draw the soul away from Christ. So long as one does this, he can find no hope or pardon, and he will finally lose all desire to be reconciled to God.” (Desire of Ages 324)