Recently I presented a blog to you on Hebrews 6:6-8. Now we come to this passage of Scripture in chapter 10 which we are compelled to analyze. For those who insist we can lose our salvation this is probably one of their favorite verses. Again, we must look closer at the Scripture to determine its truth.
In this passage we are looking at a person who did not, shall I say, sideswipe Christianity as in Hebrews 6:6-8. This is the person who became deeply involved with the tenants of Christianity and church activity. Here we have someone who presents himself fully knowledgeable about doctrine and theology as much as anyone else would know. The problem we face is that this person who seems so much of a Christian abruptly rejects Christ and Christianity in its entirety. How shall we digest such behavior and attitudes of the person who was so deeply involved in everything we call Christian and then turns from it? The word that is often used to describe this person is that he is an apostate. He did not just know about Christ and the Bible. He seemed to be fully informed.
But let’s break this verse down so we can realize what the writer is trying to explain to us. The name of the book is Hebrews. Therefore, the writer must be addressing himself to those Jews who aligned themselves with Christianity but then abandoned the way so that they might return back to the Mosaic law. This person is in a terrible, terrible condition! Even though this Scripture originally applied to Jews, it is still appropriate for today.
To me, the crux of the matter relies on the interpretation of the phrase, “the knowledge of the truth.” What does this knowledge entail? The Greek word for knowledge helps us tremendously. We are talking about someone who ascertains what is happening. This is a person who has a distinct perception or impression. The person is one who makes acknowledgment of his spiritual surroundings. That word does not necessarily mean that such knowledge leads one to salvation.
The writer of Hebrews begins the verse by indicating an individual who sins willfully after having such knowledge. Here is someone that seems greatly involved in Christianity, has a rather deep understanding about it, is recognized as a believer, but then turns away from Christianity altogether.
A good example of this is Charles Templeton. He began as a cartoonist in Canada. His career led him to write novels, host radio and television shows, and then became an evangelist with Billy Graham preaching all over the United States. He even attended a seminary. Then one day this man turned away from God and became an atheist.
This someone is trampling on the blood of Christ, and we all know there is no other means to be saved other than through the blood of Christ. When we are talking about someone who sins willfully, we are not talking about the believer who either commits a sin such as lying or the believer who backslides doubting his faith. We are talking about someone who routinely, regularly participates in sin. The person under discussion makes a conscious decision against Christ in favor of his own pleasures and what he deems is truth.
This is a person who proclaimed himself a Christian but turned so radically away from God that he denies the truth of salvation. This apostate made an outward profession even to the point of being baptized by water while displaying a form of godliness. Paul wrote to Timothy a serious warning, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5) We can pretend all we want for others and fool them, but we cannot fool God. In the end, this person has no other means for salvation other than Christ and will face a certain fearful fiery indignation. (verse 27)
Christian Writer 