Forgiveness

Hebrews 10:26-29
(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?

Taking into consideration what most people purpose to do at the start of a new year, I did not want to just write about ‘my New Year’s resolution’. So, I decided I would do a study on “The Spirit of Grace”. And this time, this is not a blog entry I intend to record as results or findings of my studying. This entry is intended as a message for all of the Human Family.

The passage above, from Hebrews is almost complicated by the word, “willfully”. I think there are a lot of people who feel that sin is intentional because there are a lot of sins that are actions. And therefore, should be preventable.

Here, in Hebrews 10:26, the Koinean Greek word from which we translate to “willfully” is

ἑκουσίως [ekousios (hekousiose)]-Spontaneously, voluntarily.

Hekousios seems to suggest that there are sins that can be prevented by virtue of using the word ‘voluntarily’ in the definition. The other word used to define hekousios, ‘spontaneously’ helps to clarify the sin having been committed with no regard to consequence. May I suggest this ‘willful’ sinning means that we are aware of the nature of our preventable actions? However, we choose to place our priorities according to our desires. This is what makes “willfully” a spontaneous act. We act according to our fleshly desire and intend to overlook the consequences.

Hebrews 10:26 says that we already possess the “knowledge of the truth”. So, yes. In that case, if we act in a ‘flip’ manner; as if we arrive at our moment of lust, or what ever the sinful catalyst be, knowing at the forefront of our conscience we are about to act for self, to the neglect of relationship(s) with man and God, then we sin with no further offer of forgiveness.

However, let’s look at another type of ‘sin’ for which I’m sure there is a ‘theological’ term for, but it has long escaped me (maybe one of the readers will remind me?).

This is the sin for which Jesus Cries out to the Father,

“
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)”.

Jesus understood this sin emanated of the zeal held for the Law. In fact, you may be correct if you think as I do. My thoughts: “The crucifixion of Jesus was instigated by the Law”. The Jews felt they were encouraging the crucifixion of a blasphemer. The Jews felt they were defending the Jewish National Religion of Judaism.

So, for lack of better words, let’s just call this a ‘sin of obsession’. Here, we can apply Jesus’ instructions, as He answered Peter;

"I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (in reference to being asked how many times one should forgive a brother who sins against the offended). Matthew 18:22.

There are sins which are committed for lack of spiritual maturity. That is why the person may be “voluntarily” committing the sin. But, it is not a ‘flip’ “spontaneity”. The less mature in Christ would not have grown to patience, peace, long suffering and the like.

I don’t consider myself a person who is not easily forgiving. Nor, do I consider myself a person who has acheived 'spiritual maturity'. (Who measures the ceiling on that standard?)

This study can be expounded on at length with many more word studies and scripture passages. It does not need to be. My effort was to consider what ‘new start’ to encourage myself and others to for this new year. With the current political climate, historically long irreconcilable differences between nations and the everyday mishaps on the road (which is one of the pet-peeves I have about other drivers) I confessed, “the world needs more forgiveness”.