Sin unto death?

[Sovereign Grace]

I was printing off a few commentaries covering Hebrews 10:26 (Calvin, Poole, and Owen to be exact) when I read Poole's comment concerning that verse.


For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

If we sin wilfully: the severe exaction which God will take upon such as apostatize from him, is further enforcing the former duty, and is introduced by the particle for, to that end; if we by a free and spontaneous desertion of Christ, and his ordinances, without a coercion by threats and persecutions; and this after we had professedly in our judgments, wills, and affections, with faith and reverence, acknowledged a love and subjection to the true gospel doctrine of the way of bringing sinners to God by Christ our great High Priest, John 8:31 14:6, which was made known to them by Christ and his apostles, and confirmed by miracles and the gifts of the Holy Ghost, so as to profess a full conviction of this truth, so as to assent and consent to it.

After that we have received the knowledge of the truth; after all this, to renounce the profession of it, and to forsake the assemblies where it is held forth; this is the spontaneous and wilful sinning: see Hebrews 6:6.

There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins: this is unpardonable by the just constitution of God in the gospel, because no sacrifice can atone God for them, without which they cannot be pardoned; and the sacrifice of Christ, which only could do it, they renounce and desert; and so this, nor any other they can bring, can procure pardon for them, so that their sins remain in guilt and power on them, and between them and God’s wrath are they like irrecoverably to be ground to perdition.


Could this be the sin unto death? Total and final rejection of Christ after having being part of a local church, the reading of scripture, singing hymns, partaking of the Lord's supper, even possibly being part of the ministry? To me, the sin unto death is something tangible, something that others see, as they were told if they saw them commit such an act, to not even pray for them. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.[1 John 5:16] Okay, it doesn't say it like that, but it seems to me they could distinguish betwixt the sin not leading to death vs the sin that leads to death.

Anyhoo...what are your thoughts about this and Poole's comment? TIA

 

[Ploutos]

Here are my thoughts: we live in an age obsessed with positivity, affirmation, and validation. The way the gospel is presented in the totality of scripture cuts across the grain of our society. The gospel is not merely presented by way of positive encouragement and wooing (much less the pathetic "please like me and come back" pleading and begging of the seeker-sensitives) but also by severe threatenings and dire warnings. If "Catholic guilt" is a cultural trope reflective of something gone awry theologically, Biblical guilt and shame and fear are not only real and valid but necessary.

I find this passage absolutely terrifying, but I'm so thankful that it's in the Holy Scriptures. I lived for years in fear of death and judgment yet with a conscience seared by sin and rebellion. God, in his mercy, plucked me out of my former estate of sin and misery; but, I confess to my shame that even after that amazing work of redemption on his part, there have been moments where I have been tempted to hold my salvation lightly or even to toy with it. In such moments, passages like this have served as a valuable restraint. I do believe, in one sense, that nobody who draws breath is truly beyond the reach of God's grace. At the same time, because of passages like this, I also believe that it's at least theoretically possible that someone could find themselves effectively consigned to eternal damnation in this life. This passage says, to those who trivialize their faith - "Don't! If you cross that line, God provides no guarantee that you will ever be able to cross back." A form of early sentencing, if you will.

I've seen something that looks very much like this on one or possibly two occasions in my life. The Lord alone knows, but having seen that up close, I find that my fear is increased rather than assuaged. Don't mess with your salvation.

 

[Ed Walsh]

I find this passage absolutely terrifying, but I'm so thankful that it's in the Holy Scriptures. I lived for years in fear of death and judgment yet with a conscience seared by sin and rebellion. God, in his mercy, plucked me out of my former estate of sin and misery; but, I confess to my shame that even after that amazing work of redemption on his part, there have been moments where I have been tempted to hold my salvation lightly or even to toy with it. In such moments, passages like this have served as a valuable restraint.

Morning JP,

You must know from your reading that your story is rather common among many of God's dear children. But this is not a misery-loving-company thing. For you, as for me, these thoughts are horrifying no matter how common they are. It's times like this when I've felt some despair and hopelessness.

I'm 74 now, and thankfully those times for me, are fewer and further between than in my younger days. But that 15 minutes or hour or so that I am in those depths I've suffered terribly. But there are two thoughts that are burned into me that are helpful at those times. I found that the knowledge I have gained about this happening to others is of a little comfort to me, as it probably is little comfort to you, too.

Here's two smooth stones to sling at Man's hater, the devil:

1. From Ephesians 3:14-21:
Paul here has his head in the heavens and speaks in superlatives of the "breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." These are thoughts that even Paul could not fathom to their depths, etc. (See: All Loves Excelling, by John Bunyan. It is very good on this passage) At my lowest times, I can remember that the love of Christ passeth knowledge. His love goes beyond our apprehension of it's truth. This passage shows us that there is hope beyond our hopes -- a love that excels our wildest imagination.

2. Smooth Stone Two: (this may seem a little weird, but this thought has has helped me much)
Without the least license in mind, consider, that the greater the sin in a child of God the more glory God gets in His demonstration of His love and forgiveness.
~~~~~~~
There you have it. I hope this of some help to some.

Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV​

[14] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; [19] and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. [20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.​