For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Willful Sin

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Since the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, man has struggled with the battle of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. From Adam to the final soul born on earth, all sin. The only man who never sinned was Jesus of Nazareth. Men have been drawn into wickedness for many reasons. Eve was deceived by the cunning serpent. Moses became angry with the people of Israel, failing to give God the glory. David was overtaken by his passions, committing adultery with Bathsheba. He compounded his sin by having her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. Peter denied Jesus three times in the presence of the Lord.

The passions of men can overpower the will to produce sin. No one is immune from the tentacles of temptation among those who are the mind and age of accountability before God. There are many good people in the Bible, but all have sinned. The rich young ruler who came to Jesus assured his life was complete with good works, and then he failed to heed the warning of Jesus. Many are fooled into the deceitful desires of the flesh, falling victim. By the grace of God, sin can be forgiven with a humble and contrite heart. God’s mercy is everlasting to allow sinful men to seek forgiveness and then to grant cleansing through the blood of Jesus. What a joy for the broken man.

There is another type of sin that is found in scripture, which is a very dire circumstance that many find themselves in. The Hebrew writer describes those who sin willfully or presumptuously. These souls deliberately continue sinning after they receive the knowledge of truth. This is not a case where the heart is tempted and drawn away through deceit. The willful heart is determined to sin, making no effort to cease or draw away. This man has not backslidden but has taken a full course to indulge in sin. Like Cain, the heart is full of evil. It is turning its back fully on the saving grace of God and the blood of Jesus Christ.

The gospel does not impact the heart of the willful sinner. A malicious spirit of rebellion does not allow the heart to be turned to the Lord. The tragedy is this happens to those who once were enlightened, have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit. God’s children turning away from their father in a defiant act is the greatest eternal tragedy. There remains no longer a sacrifice to save them because they have abandoned the grace and mercy of the Lord. Their hearts are willfully turning away from God. As a result, there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment. The penalty of a willful heart is the fiery indignation of a wrathful God. Nothing is left but the second death, the lake of fire and brimstone.

Willful sin is an abomination to the nature of God and the grace given to sinful men. God has made every provision possible to save man from his sin, and the heart of man willfully turns away from the love of God. In the end, they hate God, refusing to obey His word. Jesus told His disciples to love God, they must keep His commandments. When the heart willfully rejects the truth of God’s word, the willful heart proves it hates the Lord God Almighty. The two are not compatible. God will judge the hearts of all men, but some hearts are already judged because of their willful rebellion. Never find yourself in that place. Repent before it is too late.