Hebrews 10:26–31 “Love That Will Not Let Us Go”

Hebrews 10:26-31 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
• How He Loves Us – John Mark McMillan
• Lauren Daigle – You Say

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Am I a Good Person? | Sunday School lesson for kids – Lesson for Kids
• Cedarmont Kids – The B-I-B-L-E – Song for Kids
• Every Move I Make I Make In You – Song for Kids
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God | Everest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After mentioning “the Day approaching” (v.25), the author addresses the issue of salvation for those who have abandoned their faith. The phrase “after receiving the knowledge of the truth” (v.26) refers to having accepted the gospel. The Greek word translated as “deliberately” is hekousiōs, which indicates an intentional choice or decision. According to the Law, only sins committed unintentionally or in ignorance could be forgiven through sacrifice; willful sins could not be forgiven (Numbers 15:30; Deuteronomy 17:12). Therefore, if someone comes to know the truth of God through the gospel but willfully abandons their faith, that sin cannot be forgiven— “no sacrifice for sins is left.” What awaits such a person is “a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (v.27).

The author explains the reason why such a terrifying punishment is given to those who abandon their faith by comparing the Law of Moses with the redemptive work of Jesus. Even breaking the Law of Moses, when confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses, was punishable by death (v.28), because violating the Law was considered an act of showing contempt for God. If that is the case, then someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord but willfully turns away from him must inevitably face an even more severe punishment. This is because they have “trampled the Son of God underfoot, treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and insulted the Spirit of grace” (v.29). Since Jesus is greater than the Law, the punishment for rejecting him is also greater.

Here, the author quotes Deuteronomy 32:35–36 to emphasize that God is the Judge (v.30). If someone rejects the grace God has given, all that remains for them is His judgment. And that is a dreadful thing (v.31).

Meditation:

People often say, “The God of the Old Testament is a God of judgment, while the God of the New Testament is a God of salvation.” This impression comes from the fact that the Old Testament is filled with accounts of Israel’s sins and God’s judgment against those sins. However, the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are not different. Both the Old and New Testaments are ultimately stories of God’s love. And the climax of that love story is the event of the cross.

Because God loves humanity so passionately and gave everything for us, to know that love and still betray it brings about terrifying wrath. The Almighty God has the power to hate or to love humankind. Considering our sinful state, it would be fitting for the holy God to hate us. Yet, He chose to love us. That is what makes His love so precious. If someone knows that precious love and still rejects it, all that remains for them is His wrath. The greater the grace and love, the greater the consequence for rejecting it.

Among the readers of Hebrews were some who had accepted the gospel but were considering returning to the temple sacrifices. The author of Hebrews gives them a stern warning, urging them to remember how serious their choice would be. These were people who had once rejoiced and given thanks for their freedom from the temple religion—but as time passed, they became used to it all and began to drift back.

In our spiritual lives, the greatest danger is becoming too familiar with holy things. When we begin to take what is sacred for granted and treat what is precious as trivial, we may end up drifting away from God’s grace. Whether we believe or not, every human being lives within the realm of God. Therefore, when we depart from His grace and love, we inevitably enter into a land of wrath and judgment. To avoid such a fate, we must remain spiritually alert. We need to be renewed daily so that we do not grow indifferent to what is holy and precious.

Prayer:

Lord, today again, I open my heart wide and seek your grace. Please make my soul clear and pure like the early morning air. Help me to be sensitive to your grace and love, and let me live within them. In every situation, until the day I take my last breath, may I never depart from your love. I pray in your name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God loves us so much that He gave everything for us. That love is special and powerful—but if we ignore or walk away from it, we also walk away from His protection and peace. God wants us to stay close to Him, remember His love every day, and never take it for granted.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What do you think it means to stay close to God’s love every day?
  • Can you think of something special you’ve gotten used to and started forgetting how special it is? (Like a toy, a friend, or even church?)
  • How can we remind ourselves that God’s love is a gift, not something to take for granted? 
• For Youth
  • Have you ever felt like God’s love became “normal” or easy to forget? What helped you remember it again?
  • Why do you think people sometimes walk away from God even after knowing how much He loves them?
  • What’s one small habit or practice that could help you stay spiritually awake and close to God each day?