Wrestling with Hebrews 10:26

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. — Hebrews 10:26 (NLT)

If you’ve ever stumbled across Hebrews 10:26, you might’ve felt a chill run down your spine. I know I have. It’s one of those verses that stops you in your tracks: “No longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins?” Does that mean salvation can slip through our fingers if we keep messing up?

A friend recently reached out, deeply worried that habitual sin might disqualify them from salvation. That concern is real and worth taking seriously. So, let’s walk through this verse together and explore the truth the author of Hebrews is driving at.

The Context: A Letter to the Pressured

First, a little context helps. Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were feeling the heat—persecution, hardship, and social pressure were pushing them to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to the familiar safety of the Old Testament rituals. Throughout the letter, the author urges them to see Jesus as the superior high priest, whose once-for-all sacrifice surpasses the old system (Hebrews 10:10–14).

By the time we get to chapter 10, the tone is urgent yet hopeful: Hold fast to your faith. Don’t give up.

Then we hit verses 26–27:

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. (NLT)

Wow! That’s scary to think about.

A Hypothetical Gut Punch

But here’s what I think is going on: this isn’t about losing salvation every time we struggle with sin. It’s a warning—not a final verdict. A wake-up call, not a declaration of doom.

What do I mean by that?

Look at the flow of the chapter. In verses 23–25, the author encourages the believers to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,” to “stir up one another to love and good works,” and to keep meeting together. These are positive exhortations to persevere.

Then verse 26 introduces a sharp contrast: If you walk away from this—if you reject the truth after knowing it, if you sin willfully in the sense of turning your back on Jesus—what’s left? If you reject the only true sacrifice, there’s no other place to turn. No backup plan. No alternative Savior.

This isn’t about stumbling, struggling, or even falling into repeated sin. It’s about a deliberate, decisive rejection of the gospel after fully understanding it.

A helpful example comes from John 6:67–69:

Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (NLT)

Even when the teaching was hard, the disciples stayed because they had experienced the life found only in Jesus. That’s the heart behind Hebrews 10:26—it’s urging us not to walk away from the only source of life.

Apostasy, Not Struggle

It’s worth noting that the Greek word for “deliberately” (hekousiōs) refers to a willful, persistent rejection. Think apostasy: someone who has truly tasted the truth and then says, “No thanks,” and walks away entirely. That’s different from someone fighting a habitual sin—whether it’s anger, lust, envy, or something else. For those struggles, the Bible promises grace and forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Hebrews 10:26 isn’t about God keeping score until you’re disqualified. It’s about the seriousness of rejecting Jesus altogether. It’s asking, “If you walk away from Him, where else can you go?”

Reconciling with Grace

Seeing Hebrews 10:26 this way helps us keep it in harmony with the rest of the New Testament. Consider John 10:28–29, where Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep from His hand. Or Romans 8:38–39, where Paul says nothing can separate us from God’s love. If Hebrews were saying salvation is lost every time we sin willfully, those promises would crumble.

But as a hypothetical warning, it fits. The message is: Don’t abandon Jesus—He’s the only way. Stay with Him.

To my friend concerned about their habitual sins, I’d say this: God isn’t waiting to pull the rug out from under you. Hebrews 10:26 isn’t about your daily struggles. It’s an encouragement to cling to Jesus when life gets hard and sin feels overwhelming. Keep fighting. Keep repenting. Keep relying on grace.

That’s what Hebrews 10 is really about.

Why It Matters

Hebrews is a letter of encouragement with a few sobering what-ifs. It’s for people like us—tempted to drift, prone to doubt, and in need of reminders to hold on. Verse 26 isn’t there to scare us into perfection. It’s there to show us what’s at stake if we walk away.

Jesus’ sacrifice is everything. There’s no Plan B—and there doesn’t need to be. He’s enough.

So, what do you think? Does this view of Hebrews 10:26 bring clarity or raise more questions? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them below or send me a message. Let’s keep wrestling with this together.

Transformed by Grace: Transformed for Impact

Imagine standing before a narrow two-by-four stretched across the floor. You could walk it easily, eyes fixed on the path, step by steady step. Now picture that same board suspended ten stories high between skyscrapers, wind howling, a crowd watching below. Suddenly, your focus wavers—your heart races, you’re thinking about the fall, the noise, the stakes. That’s the power of focus.

Coach Jimmy Johnson shared this illustration with his Dallas Cowboys before the 1993 Super Bowl, facing intense pressure from the crowd, media, and a formidable opponent. He told them, “Don’t get distracted by the hype or fear of failure. Treat each play like practice, one step at a time.” They listened, stayed focused, and dominated, winning 52-17.

In Titus 3, the Apostle Paul delivers a similar message. In a world buzzing with distractions—divisive arguments, cultural pressures, and the temptation to blend into Crete’s corrupt society—he urges believers to keep their eyes on God’s grace, good works, and unity in Christ. Like those Cowboys, we’re called to walk the path God has laid out, undeterred by the chaos around us. When we anchor ourselves in His grace, we can live confidently, no matter how high the stakes.

The Purpose of Titus: Living Transformed Lives

Throughout our series, Grace that Transforms, we’ve seen Paul’s emphasis on right living in his letter to Titus. He’s passionate about Christians in Crete representing King Jesus well. This requires competent leaders teaching sound doctrine, awareness of false teachers, and an understanding that right living flows from right teaching. Each group—older men, older women, younger men, younger women, slaves—has a role in reflecting God’s grace. The core truth? We are people transformed by grace, and this transformation carries a responsibility to steward God’s gift faithfully.

Paul wrote this letter to bolster Titus’s authority as his apostolic representative in Crete, equipping him to preach, teach, and organize the churches. Titus wasn’t a pastor or bishop but Paul’s delegate, tasked with ensuring the churches lived out the gospel. This final chapter ties it all together, showing how grace transforms us to live for impact.

Examining Titus 3: Living Out Grace

Verses 1–2: Living as Good Citizens
Paul calls believers to represent King Jesus in two directions: toward the state and toward others. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we might think earthly authorities don’t apply to us, but Jesus, Paul, and Peter all teach otherwise. We’re to pay taxes, obey laws, and live in ways that benefit society, as Jeremiah instructed the exiles. With those outside the church, we’re to treat them kindly, avoid conflicts, and foster good relations. Takeaway: Christians should live in a way that makes as few waves as possible, building bridges through respect and service.

Verses 3–8: The Gospel of Grace
Paul reminds us of our past: foolish, disobedient, enslaved to sinful desires, full of envy and hatred. But God’s kindness and love intervened—not because of our works, but through His mercy. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the Spirit’s work in baptism, we’re washed clean and given new life. This early creed (v. 8, “This is a trustworthy saying”) underscores that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously, with confidence in eternal life. Takeaway: God’s grace saves us and enables us to live transformed lives, guided by the Spirit.

Verses 9–11: Avoiding Divisive Disputes
Crete’s false teachers stirred pointless debates over genealogies and Jewish law, distracting from the gospel and hindering good works. Paul instructs Titus to warn divisive people twice, then exclude them if they persist. Unity is critical—divisive behavior undermines our witness and shows a heart uninterested in following Jesus. Takeaway: Unity in the church is vital; we must address divisive behavior firmly yet graciously to protect our mission.

Verses 12–15: Supporting God’s Work
Paul closes by urging Titus to support missionaries like Zenas and Apollos and to encourage believers to meet urgent needs. Whether through giving, loving neighbors, or praying, everyone has a role in God’s mission. Takeaway: The church thrives when we actively support mission and serve practical needs, reflecting God’s grace in action.

Connecting to Today’s World

Like Crete, our world is divided—politically, socially, and even within churches. Social media and news amplify slander and disputes, tempting Christians to either join the fray or retreat. Titus 3 offers a third way: living out God’s grace through kindness, service, and unity. How? First, focus on what you can control—how you treat others. Practice “benevolent detachment,” letting go of the need to win every argument. Second, treat people with respect, avoiding slander. Third, remember you represent King Jesus in every interaction.

The grace that saved us (vv. 4–7) empowers us to live differently. Just as God showed kindness when we were “foolish” and “enslaved” (v. 3), we’re called to show compassion to those who don’t yet know Jesus. Instead of seeing the world as an enemy to defeat, see people as enslaved to sin, needing our love, help, and prayers.

Applying to Life: Representing God’s Grace

Paul’s message is clear: how we live matters. Our right living, rooted in God’s grace, extends beyond the church to how we engage the state and the world. We’re to love and respect others, remembering we were once lost in sin, just as they are. Our lives should extend God’s mercy, showing that His love and grace are real.

Big Idea: How we live gives credibility to God’s love, mercy, and grace. We can’t proclaim forgiveness and new life if our actions are marked by arrogance or hatred. People trapped in sin need to see that following Jesus makes a difference—that His love transforms lives.

Challenge: Ask God to help you represent His grace well. Your life—how you treat others, what you believe—may be the closest someone gets to the gospel. Live in a way that draws them to Jesus.

Final Thought: Gandhi once said, “One man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole.” This truth applies to following Jesus. We can’t love fellow Christians while slandering or fighting the world. We’re called to love our neighbors, pray for our enemies, and represent King Jesus in all we say and do. May this reality guide our lives, transforming us for impact.

Source for Gandhi quote: Stephen Covey, First Things First (Simon & Schuster, 1994), p. 121, citing Eknath Easwaran, Gandhi, the Man (Nilgin Press, 1978), p. 145.

Sunday Prayer: Grateful for God’s Kindness

Prayer Based on Titus 3:3–8

Gracious and Merciful God,

We come before You humbled by the truth of who we once were—foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by our own desires. We confess that our lives were once marked by envy, strife, and hatred. But then—You intervened.

You revealed Your kindness and love through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Not because we earned it. Not because we were righteous. But solely because of Your mercy. Thank You for saving us, for washing us clean, and for giving us new birth and new life through Your Holy Spirit.

Thank You for pouring out Your Spirit generously, not sparingly, so we might be renewed from the inside out. Thank You for justifying us by Your grace and giving us the confident hope of eternal life.

Lord, help us to never lose sight of this trustworthy truth. May our lives overflow with gratitude. Let our trust in You be shown in our devotion to doing good—works not to earn Your love, but as a response to it. May our lives become living testimonies of Your grace and kindness, pointing others to the hope we’ve found in You.

Empower us by Your Spirit to walk in love, to serve with humility, and to shine with the light of Christ. These teachings are good and beneficial for all—may we live them well for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Transformed by Grace: The Power of God’s Grace

In a world increasingly driven by self-interest, where kindness and humility often take a backseat, God’s grace stands as a transformative force, calling us to a higher standard of living. In his 2023 article, “How America Got Mean,” David Brooks observes a troubling shift in American culture, what he calls the “de-moralization” of society. He cites a 2012 study showing that words tied to virtue—like bravery (down 65%), gratitude (58%), and humbleness (55%)—have faded from books over the 20th century. Meanwhile, life goals have shifted: in 1967, 85% of college students sought a “meaningful philosophy of life,” but by 2015, 82% prioritized wealth. This change in motivation shapes behavior. If our aim is fame or riches, we may justify harming or ignoring others to get ahead. But as followers of Jesus, our motivation is rooted in faith and duty, shaped by the transformative power of God’s grace, which calls us to live differently—reflecting the character of our King.

The Context of Titus

Our series on the book of Titus has emphasized the importance of right living for the Christians in Crete, a Mediterranean island known for its moral laxity (Titus 1:12). Written around AD 62–64, after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, this letter was sent to Titus, Paul’s apostolic delegate, to guide the young churches in a challenging mission field. Crete’s diverse population of Jews and Gentiles, combined with the influence of false teachers, threatened the faith of new believers. Paul’s instructions were clear: appoint blameless leaders (1:5-9) who could teach sound doctrine and confront false teachings (1:10-16). Right living, Paul stresses, flows from right teaching, and at the heart of this teaching is the transformative grace of God, revealed through Jesus Christ. This grace empowers believers to represent King Jesus well in a world that desperately needs to see His love.

The Power of God’s Grace (Titus 2:11-15)

In Titus 2:11-15, Paul unpacks five key truths about God’s grace, showing how it reshapes our lives and motivates us to live for His Kingdom.

1. Grace Revealed for All (v. 11)
   God’s grace has appeared to all people through Jesus. For Gentiles in Crete, grace resembled “royal compassion”—a king or deity providing what people couldn’t achieve on their own. For Jews, it echoed God’s covenant love, freely given and unearned. This grace fulfills God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12, extending His blessing to all nations, not just Israel. It’s a universal gift, laying the foundation for evangelism, as it invites everyone—regardless of background—to experience God’s love and salvation.
2. Grace Teaches Godly Living (v. 12)
   Grace is more than a gift; it’s a teacher. It instructs us to reject anti-God living—behaviors that fail to reflect God’s character—and worldly desires that align with the world’s values rather than God’s. Instead, grace empowers us to live with self-control, righteousness, and godliness, even in a world marked by evil. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we overcome fleshly desires and reflect God’s gracious, loving character. This enables us to live respectably, using our gifts to build God’s Kingdom.
3. Hope in Christ’s Return (v. 13)
   Grace motivates us to live for King Jesus because of the hope of His return. Described as “our great God and Savior,” Jesus will come again to bring justice, restore creation, and rescue His people. This hope fuels patience, endurance, and passion for Kingdom work. We strive to be ready—living rightly—when He appears, eager to reflect His character in all we do.
4. Redemption and Purification (v. 14)
   The cost of this grace was immense: Jesus freely gave His life to redeem us from slavery to sin and purify us from its defilement. In the Old Testament, sin rendered people unworthy to be part of God’s family, but Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses us, making us worthy to be His people. God’s plan from the beginning was to have a people fully committed to Him, partnering in His mission to rule over His good creation.
5. Teach with Authority (v. 15)
   Paul charges Titus to teach these truths with authority, encouraging believers to follow Jesus and correcting wrong beliefs or behaviors that dishonor Him. When Titus lives and teaches faithfully (vv. 7-8), his ministry is above reproach. We, too, are called to live out these truths, holding one another accountable to represent Jesus well in our words and actions.

How Does This Apply to Us?

First, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Titus 2:11-15 shows that understanding grace—seen in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—and living with hope for His return equips us to say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness. We’ve been redeemed and cleansed to be God’s people. Regularly studying Scripture and meditating on these truths shapes our character and actions. Don’t neglect the Bible—it’s the foundation for a life transformed by grace.

Second, embrace your identity. Individually, you are saved by grace, a reminder of God’s personal love for you and your value as His image-bearer. Collectively, we are God’s people, tasked with representing Him well. This identity gives us purpose: to live in a way that reflects His character and advances His Kingdom, showing a watching world the power of His grace.

Third, live with purpose. Grace doesn’t just save us; it calls us to action. We’re to be zealous for good works—acts of love, service, and justice that point others to Jesus. Whether it’s forgiving a wrong, helping a neighbor, or standing firm against temptation, our actions should flow from the grace we’ve received.

Living Transformed by Grace

Paul’s message in Titus 2:11-15 is a call to action: God’s grace, revealed through Jesus, offers salvation and teaches us to live righteously. It’s not enough to believe the right truths—our beliefs must shape our lives. Grace transforms us into God’s people, eager to do good works and await Christ’s return with hope.

Challenge: This week, live as someone transformed by grace. Begin each day thanking God for His unearned gift of salvation. Take one practical step to reflect that grace—perhaps forgiving someone, serving your community, or resisting a temptation. Study God’s Word daily to root yourself in your identity in Christ, and let that truth guide your actions. As God’s people, let’s be zealous for good works, showing the world the power of His grace.

Final Thought: Theologian Lewis Smedes beautifully captures the wonder of grace: “Grace is amazing because it works against the grain of common sense. Hard-nosed common sense will tell you that you are too wrong to meet the standards of a holy God; pardoning grace tells you that it’s all right in spite of so much in you that is wrong… Grace promises that you can trust God to have a better tomorrow for you than the day you have made for yourself.” Grace defies logic, yet it’s the catalyst for life change, motivating us to live for God’s glory.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace—Your love, forgiveness, and provision through Jesus. Empower us by Your Spirit to live as Your people, reflecting Your character in all we do. Help us study Your Word, embrace our identity in Christ, and be zealous for good works. May our lives show the world the transformative power of Your grace. Amen.

Sunday Prayer: Grace-Fueled Devotion

Based on Titus 2:11–14

Gracious God,

Thank You for the gift of Your grace, which has appeared to all, bringing salvation and hope into our broken world. We praise You for the kindness that reached us in our sin and called us into Your marvelous light.

Lord, train our hearts by that same grace. Teach us to say “no” to the ungodliness that tugs at our souls and to the worldly passions that promise much but deliver emptiness. Shape in us a holy hunger for righteousness, a longing to live upright and self-controlled lives as we wait for our blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus, You gave Yourself to redeem us, to purify a people who are Yours—zealous for good works and eager to reflect Your love in the world. Let that truth stir us today. Let it move us to live not for ourselves, but for You who died and rose again for us.

As we walk through this day, may Your grace be our guide, Your Spirit be our strength, and Your coming be our hope. Make us a people who shine with the light of Your redemption in a dark and desperate world.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

Transformed by Grace

Four years ago, Josiah Jackson, an 18-year-old pianist, stood at Chicago O’Hare International Airport near Gate C17, eyeing a public piano. Having played since he was four, he couldn’t resist giving it a try. But the keys were sticky, the sound was awful, and he left disappointed, vowing, “One day, I’m going to come back and tune this piano for free.” 

Not only is Josiah a pianist, he is also a piano tuner. Because he did not like the pressure of performing in concerts, he started to learn how to tune pianos, and by 15 he shifted his passion from performing to tuning pianos, finding joy in transforming broken instruments. He called himself The Piano Doctor, sharing his work on YouTube. In 2024, he returned to O’Hare during an eight-hour layover, armed with tuning tools. The piano was in worse shape than he remembered—covered in dust, keys glued with some mysterious substance. After seven hours of meticulous work, Josiah played “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and the piano sounded wonderful. Travelers now play it with joy, and his YouTube video has inspired thousands. Josiah didn’t just fix a piano; he restored its purpose, bringing music back to a busy airport.

Like that piano, we too are out of tune. Sin has broken us, leaving us unable to play the music God created us to sing. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin curses our world, fractures our relationships, and separates us from God, our source of life. We’re not just out of tune; we’re incapable of living out our design to bear God’s image in the world. 

But what if we could be restored? What would it be like to live free from sin’s grip—fully known without shame, loving others perfectly, representing Jesus in all we do? It would be freeing and it would be glorious. We would be able to do the very thing God created us to do.

In Romans 6:1-14, the Apostle Paul shows us how God’s grace transforms us, making us new people who reflect His restoration in how we live. Writing to the church in Rome to summarize his theology, unify believers, and seek support for a mission to Spain, Paul explains how Jesus’ death and resurrection deal with sin’s consequences. Through grace, we’re not left broken but are tuned to play God’s song. Here are three ways grace transforms us, drawn from this powerful passage.

1. Transformed to Live New Lives (Romans 6:1-4)

Paul is appalled at the idea that we’d keep sinning to make God’s grace shine brighter. Grace cost Jesus His life, and through baptism, we’re united with his death and resurrection. Baptism isn’t just a symbol; it’s an act of faith and repentance that ties us to Jesus, his death paying for our sins and his resurrection empowering us to live anew. When we repent, we turn from sin to follow Jesus’ way. We can’t keep sinning intentionally, banking on grace to cover us. God has already given us new lives through His grace, and we’re called to steward them well, living in a way that honors Him.

2. Transformed to a New Relationship (Romans 6:5-11)

Through baptism, we’re dead to sin and alive in Christ’s resurrection. Paul says we’re “set free from the power of sin” (v. 7) and that “death no longer has mastery over us” (v. 9). But temptation still tugs, and death remains a reality—so what does this freedom mean? In 1 Corinthians 15:56, Paul explains that sin’s sting leads to death, and the law gives sin its power by defining right and wrong but not offering a way out. Jesus’ death fulfills the law’s demands, freeing us from its condemnation. Grace builds a new relationship with God, not based on keeping rules but on His unmerited love. We’re no longer slaves to sin but children of God, invited to live in His grace.

3. Transformed for Freedom (Romans 6:12-14)

Grace gives us a choice: How will we live? Will we offer our hands, feet, and minds to sin, walking the wide road of rebellion? Or will we offer ourselves to righteousness, pursuing the narrow road of God’s Kingdom? We’re no longer under the law’s condemnation but under grace’s freedom. This freedom isn’t a license to sin but an empowerment to choose righteousness, to represent King Jesus in all we say and do. And when we stumble, grace promises forgiveness, catching us and setting us back on the path.

A Safety Net of Grace

Imagine San Francisco in 1936, where workers built the Golden Gate Bridge on slippery beams high above the Pacific. A fall meant certain death, and the industry expected one life lost per million dollars spent—35 deaths for a $35 million project. But engineer Joseph Strauss refused to accept that toll. He installed a massive safety net beneath the bridge, costing $130,000 during the Great Depression. That net caught 19 men who fell, earning them the nickname the “Half Way to Hell Club.” One survivor, Al Zampa, said, “They said a man who fell to his death was gone to hell. But we fell only half way to hell.” The net didn’t just save them; it gave them a new chance at life.

This is God’s grace. The law says our sin deserves death, but grace catches us. Like Josiah tuning that O’Hare piano, God restores us, not because we earn it but because He loves us. Because we know His grace is there, we can live confidently, loving God and others, trusting He’ll rescue us when we fall.

Big Idea: God’s Grace Transforms Us

God’s grace transforms us from slaves to sin into instruments of righteousness, free to live for His glory. We’re not defined by our mistakes but by His redemption. Like a tuned piano, we’re called to play the music of His Kingdom, reflecting His love in how we live.

Challenge: Live Transformed

Each day, do two things:

1. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness.
2. Commit to follow Jesus that day.

This simple practice reminds us who we are and how we’re called to live. Reflect on where sin is holding you back—your words, thoughts, or actions—and offer that part of your life to God as an instrument of righteousness. Live boldly, knowing His grace catches you.

Closing Thought

You are not the sum of your falls. You are a new creation, caught by grace, tuned by a loving God, and called to sing His praise. So go, live transformed, and let your life be a song for your Creator, Savior, and Father.

Sources: Cathy Free, “An airport piano was filthy and out of tune. He fixed it during a layover”; Historical accounts of the Golden Gate Bridge from Wikipedia, WebUrbanist, and SFGate; Biblical text: Romans 6:1-14, Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 15:56.