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SUBJECT:
Sin----Willfully Sinning
QUESTION: What
does it mean to “sin willfully” (Hebrews 10:26)?
Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice
for sins.
ANSWER:
To describe what “willful sin” is, one has to understand
what “repentance” and “conversion” mean.
Repentance is only valid IF you are committed to making
forward progress toward having the character of Christ or
perfection.
You CANNOT stand in one place, sin the same sin over and
over and just keep repenting.
"Repentance" has a specific definition. Let us look at it
from the Webster’s Unabridged 1913 edition:
Repentance
Re*pent"ance The act of repenting, or the state of being
penitent; sorrow for what one has done or omitted to do;
especially, contrition for sin.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2. Corinthians
7:20.
Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to
God.
Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the
conviction that it has offended God. Sorrow, fear, and
anxiety are properly not parts, but adjuncts, of repentance;
yet they are too closely connected with it to be easily
separated.
Note: Look at that definition!! Repentance is not JUST an
attitude but ACTION. To repent, the person must RELINQUISH
the sinful practice. Moreover, sin must be REPLACED with
Godly principles (Galatians 5:22-23).
See, it says "change of mind". One changes his or her mind
by replacing bad with good; sin for Godly principle.
It also says "conversion from sin". What about that word
"conversion"...
Conversion
Con*ver"sion (?), n. [L. conversio: cf. F. conversion. See
Convert.]
1. The act of turning or changing from one state or
condition to another, or the state of being changed;
transmutation; change.
Note:
The words are telling the tale. There is alot to
repentance. It is serious before God. It is not a "Get out
of jail free" card. It has with it great requirements.
I spoke about repentance being an attitude (item 1 above).
Notice this scripture...
1 Timothy 6:11-12
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses.
Note:
"Flee these things (sins)"
and "fight the good fight" and "lay hold on eternal life".
All these things are
ACTIONS. Repentance demands ACTION. It demands forward
progress.
All along the road to salvation we will sin now and again
but as long as character is being built and forward progress
is being made we can repent of those sins as part of the
process.
In the definition, it says "turning from sin". If we turn
from sin, we must have turned toward Perfection. Turn from
sin and move closer to Perfection. One step at a time,
never leaving the process.
Now, let us look at the meaning of "willfully sinning".
This is part of the unpardonable sin process. It can very
well be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Let us take a
look at that word "willful"...
Willful
Will"ful (?), a. [Will + full.] [Written also wilful.]
1. Of set purpose; self-determined; voluntary; as, willful
murder. Foxe.
2. Governed by the will without yielding to reason;
obstinate; perverse; inflexible; stubborn; refractory; as, a
willful man or horse. -- Will"ful*ly, adv. -- Will"ful*ness,
n.
Note: Look at those words!! "obstinate, perverse,
inflexible, stubborn" all showing a seared mind, beyond the
help of the Holy Spirit.
Some people mix-up "slipping and sinning" and "willful
sinning". The difference is slipping and sinning can happen
from weakness even though we know better. Remember Paul's
statement:
Romans 7:14-25
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,
sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that
do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the
law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that
dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no
good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to
perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it,
but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is
present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the
law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of
sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the
body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with
the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh
the law of sin.
Willful sin on the other hand is committed by someone that
has made a lifelong decision to oppose God, the Father,
Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit not to mention the Word of
God (which is Spirit).
---END---
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