Remembering Grace

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” - Hebrews 10:26-27

How do you view God? If you had to describe Him to someone else, what adjectives would you use? Unfortunately, many people have a one-sided and incorrect idea of God’s character. In this passage, we see a side of God that is often ignored. It gives us a glimpse at the depth of God’s hatred of sin.

There is a bone-chilling warning in these verses: Do not continue to sin after receiving the truth.  People who do so are considered God’s enemies. There is no gray area when it comes to a relationship with God. You are either His child or His enemy. This does not mean that anyone who sins is God’s enemy. The phrase “keep on sinning” means a habitual lifestyle of sin. Anyone who continues in a lifestyle of sin after receiving the truth will reap the punishment for his sin.

Think about the reality of these verses, not only for your own life but also for the lives of people around you. The eternal judgment of hell is not a subject that we like to think about. But, as Christians, we must force ourselves to so that we can remember the cost of sin.  Many of us are content to know that our sins have been forgiven. We have forgotten that hell is a reality for the billions of people who have not placed their faith in Christ. We have forgotten that we used to be God’s enemies. We have forgotten why He saved us.

God’s grace is not meant to be selfishly hoarded. It is not a “get out of hell free” card.  God’s grace is meant to be multiplied, to be shared each and every day that Christ grants us another day of life.

Holy Father, I praise You for Your grace and mercy. Even though I know I deserve an eternity in hell, You have saved me by Your grace. When I pause to consider the reality of Your hatred of sin, my heart is burdened for those who have rejected Your truth. Use me today, Lord, to bring sinners back to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.