Quiet Time
Rejecting the Light
Date: October 01, 2008
Read: Hebrews 10:26–31
This is a rather controversial passage in Hebrews as are a few others. The controversy is around to whom is God talking? Is He talking to believers who fall away from grace or is He talking to unbelievers who reject the work of the Spirit’s grace in their life. Each side can make a good case for their view, thus the controversy. While respecting those of each view it is my humble opinion he is issuing a warning to unbelievers of the danger of rejecting the illumination of the Spirit to truth.
He is not talking here of a sin of ignorance but rather of one of willfulness. This is a person who has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to see the truth of their lost condition and the good news of the gospel; to understand their only hope of eternal life is in Jesus. But for some reason they choose to reject God’s truth. He uses the illustration of a person in the Old Testament who rejected the truth of the law. Their punishment was death without mercy. How much worse will be the punishment of a person today who rejects the work of the Spirit in their life? It is total disrespect to the work of grace of the Father, Spirit, and the blood of the Son. It will be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God someday. For this God always brings His vengeance upon His enemies. For an unbeliever this truth should produce the fear of God in their life. For a believer it should produce courage, hope, and a freedom from bitterness, knowing He will one day right all wrongs.
Published: October 01, 2008
Author: John Hawkins