Saints: the best reply to this was #4: "The letter to Hebrews was written to a specific people with whom God
covenanted in the Old Testament as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy. So then, in context, the pronoun "we" in the passage above
doesn't target Gentiles: it targets the author and his fellow Jews.
Heb 10:26 refers to a passage in the covenant; which essentially says that if
and when Yhvh's people know in advance that something is a sin, yet go
ahead and do it anyway, they're out of luck because there are no
atonements stipulated in the convent for scofflaws.
"Anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes Yhvh,
and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised
Yhvh's word and broken His commands, that person must surely be cut off;
his guilt remains on him." (
Num 15:30-31)
Q: What's a Hebrew scofflaw to do about his situation seeing as how the
covenant provides him no way to escape the wrath of God?
A: Switch to a different covenant."
A big key to understanding this passage is in understanding to whom it was written. As well, it needs to be taken in context. The author went to great lengths to describe just what the sacrifice of Jesus accomplished and how it was vastly superior to the blood of bulls and goats. In one place, he states that we are perfected forever, who are being sanctified. He also refers to the promise of the covenant which states that God will remember no more their sins and lawless deeds. I could go on, but a huge key is found in 26:39..." ....we are not of those who draw back to perdition but of those who believe to the saving of the soul". The only way for a Hebrew to have no sacrifice for his sin is if he is still in the old covenant. And the only way that can happen is if he is in unbelief, having rejected the blood sacrifice of Jesus for sin and thus insulting the Spirit of grace.
Some would argue that this interpretation gives license to sin. However, a license in so many words...is permission. There is no permission, but certain promise of rebuke and chastening, which Jesus said would go towards ALL whom He loves....not some....ALL. I would not be so bold or self righteous if I were any of you, to assume that you will never or never have been a candidate for chastening.
That is what awaits the believer who sins. The part of us that is deemed responsible for sin is our flesh, namely the old man. This man, the body of sin, is declared to be dead in Christ, crucified with Him. God did not overlook our sin. He punished it. And the old man, who remains alive in this life, is positionally dead. Sin is paid for in full by proxy. and the old man of flesh will not inherit life, but will ultimately perish. It is not sin that pulls the old man off the cross. It is unbelief...the rejection of the finished work of the cross. If you think sin can remove you from the family of God you are already treading on dangerous ground of not accepting the power of the sacrifice of Jesus. Think seriously and soberly on these things, Saints. Was His blood more powerful or less powerful than the blood of bulls and goats?