Christians that criticize other Christians miss the whole point of Christ's purpose , Life , Death , Resurrection and Gospel . Sad, but there are a lot of them out there who do " Despite to the Spirit of Grace ". And they do this thinking they are serving Christ !
Hebrews 10:19-31
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus ,
20 by a New and Living Way , which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his Flesh ;
21 and having an high priest over the house of God ;
22 let us draw near with a True Heart in full assurance of Faith , having our Hearts sprinkled from an Evil Conscience , and our bodies washed with Pure Water .
23 Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering; (for he is Faithful that promised;)
24 and let us Consider one another to provoke unto Love and to Good Works :
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we Sin wilfully after that we have received the Knowledge of the Truth , there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sins ,
27 but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without Mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God , and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant , wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done Despite unto the Spirit of Grace ?
30 For we Know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord . And again, The Lord shall Judge his people.
31 It is a Fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God .
What is the "Holiest that we enter Boldly ":
It is personal Relationship with God / Christ .
Who is the " High Priest "?
Christ Jesus is our High Priest who exonerates us from all Guilt and Shame .
What is a " True Heart "?
A Heart with no ulterior motives but is wholly sincere.
What is an " Evil Conscience "?
It is a Conscience that Condemns you or causes you to Condemn others.
How is an Evil Conscience "sprinkled"?
By invoking the Blood of Christ according to the Word of the New Covenant .
How is "our body washed with pure water":
By submitting it as a Living Sacrifice sanctified by the Word and the HolySpirit .
What is our " Profession of our Faith "?
Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace are ye Saved through Faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God :
Why did Paul mention that "for he is faithful that promised"?
Because it is Christ's Faith and His Promises on which we stand.
What does it mean to " Consider one another"?
Love your neighbor as yourself.
What does it mean to "provoke unto Love and Good Works "?
Encourage and Teach others about the Love of God from which His Good Grace comes so that they through the Knowledge of God come under submission to the HolySpirit who will enable them to do Good Works .
Why do we need to "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together"?
The HolySpirit uses each of us to Edify each other.
What does it mean to " Sin wilfully"?
The Sin that is being referred to is not doing or doing the opposite of what was just stated:
- drawing 'near' to God with ulterior (selfish motives)
- operating from an Evil Conscience
- serving our bodies instead of others
- adding to or taking aware from the Gospel
- engendering strife and divisions
- separating from other believers because of Pride
- not encouraging and teaching one another.
What is "the Knowledge of the Truth "?
Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace are ye Saved through Faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God :
What does it mean "no more Sacrifice for Sins "?
Either Jesus' shed Blood is the all-sufficient Sacrifice for Sins or we are forever Lost .
Why would we be "fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation"?
Because we have not believed that Jesus's blood is sufficient so we are still in Sin and that demands punishment.
What has breaking Moses' Law got to do with us?
The penalty for breaking the 10 Commandments was Death . The violation of Christ's Law of Love is Death .
How does a person "trod under foot the Son of God "?
By making Sin greater than Grace , by denigrating His Sacrifice , by ignoring His Words .
How does a person "count the Blood of the Covenant an unholy thing"?
By diminishing the efficacy of the shed Blood and the promise that God would "remember their sins and iniquities no more".
How does a person do " Despite to the Spirit of Grace ?
By condemning those who have been BornAgain and undermining their Faith and by perverting the Gospel of Grace .
When we look at the threat in verses Hebrews 10:26-31 we understand that, not following Christ's Command to Love one another, and grieving the HolySpirit through strife and contention is a capital crime as far as the Lord is concerned.
Hebrews 4:30-32
30 And Grieve not the holy Spirit of God , whereby ye are sealed unto the day of Redemption .
31 Let all Bitterness , and Wrath , and Anger , and clamour, and Evil speaking, be put away from you, with all Malice :
32 and be ye Kind one to another, Tenderhearted , Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath Forgiven you.
We are sealed by the HolySpirit . He ensures our Eternal Life . To Grieve Him is to denigrate or pollute the Work of Christ or to engender strife in the Body of Christ .