Sinning Willfully

And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. (Mark 15:17-19 NKJV)

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins ... How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean [not holy, common] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26,29 NASB, amplified)

For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
(Psalms 55:12-13 ESV)

The Greek words for repentance occur some 60 times in the New Testament. Repentance is too directly tied to salvation to refute that the two are mutually dependent. Jesus goes so far as to say, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3 NKJV)

Salvation is a free gift because its cost is so high we have no ability to purchase it, with good works or otherwise. Repentance is not a work by which one earns salvation, but the fruit which proves salvation.

If we claim we have received salvation from sin and sin's death penalty, we cannot sin willfully without mocking salvation, and the blood with which it was purchased. Such mockery is no different than those who put upon Jesus a crown of thorns, struck Him, spit upon Him—then bowed the knee in feigned worship.

Sinning willfully is no option for those who claim to be Christ's.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your holy covenant blood of forgiveness from sin. The spirit repents of sin, but the flesh remains weak. Please give us the desire and strength to turn away from every thought, feeling, word, or action which is offensive to Your great Spirit of grace.

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