Saturday after the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on November 25, 2023 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-31 (NKJV)
10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Devotion
Some false teachers claim that, once a person has come to faith in Jesus, he cannot fall away. His salvation is completely assured (they say) and there is no possibility for apostasy. This teaching of ‘eternal security’ or ‘once saved, always saved’ is contrary to the Scriptures. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews warns us that “if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin.” In other words, if a Christian falls into deliberate and persistent sin, he will lose his faith. The forgiveness which Christ won on the cross will no longer benefit him, because he has “counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing.”
We should never become secure in ourselves, thinking that it is impossible for us to stumble into mortal sin. St. Paul warns us: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” (1 Cor. 10:12). Instead of boasting in our own strength, we should place our confidence in Christ. Through His strength alone we are made secure in the hope of eternal life. To those who acknowledge their weakness and daily confess their sins, God says: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Is. 41:10).
Collect: O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit, that being ever mindful of the end of all things, and the day of Thy just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here, and dwell with Thee forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
