A Fearful Thing

A Fearful Thing

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31

I wonder how many sermons have been preached on this text? I think we need to put the text into context first. “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?  For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:29-31

Let me now ask you, how many preachers are guilty of trampling the Son of God under foot? Or have devalued the Blood of His Covenant? Or have insulted the Holy Spirit of Grace? We must never forget that “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God.” 1 Peter 4:17

So, how many of us, who will be judged first for how we conducted Gods business here on earth, will stand up under this line of questioning? How many times have we contorted the Word of God for our own purposes then have gone on to preach it as the “inerrant Word of God”? 

Now let me ask that same question from another angle. How many times have we set ourselves up as jury, judge, and executioner over another’s interpretation of scripture? How do we know who has the sole right; is the sole arbiter of truth? It is only God who has that right, otherwise why would He say, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 

I am not defending those who blaspheme His name or who trample most of the doctrine of the Bible or who devalue what Jesus did at Calvary. “How did we do that?” I hear some cry. When you preached prosperity over holiness; when you taught that Satan probably isn’t real; when you said in your heart that you are God’s sole arbiter in matters of truth and doctrine; when you allowed yourself to be raised high – almost as high as God. Jesus said, in Luke 9:50 and in Mark 9:40 that, “He who is not against us is on our side.” 

As we have all been taught within a particular denomination, we have all been taught a version of the truth that may agree or may differ slightly with another denominations version. Yet Jesus taught us that if they are “not against us” they are on our side – meaning on His side. Do you really believe that your interpretation of God’s Word is so much better than anyone else’s? Heavens above – that’s how whole denominations get started – because of proud and arrogant men who will only listen to their own pathetic bletherings while believing that God obviously doesn’t speak to “those other sinners over there”. 

Mote and Plank !!! Less condemnation and more acceptance – despite the differences. Move forward on the common ground and we may find enough commonality to unite with “them” after all.