WILFUL SIN

The Word of God tells of men who hear and understand the Gospel, claim faith in Jesus Christ, and then ... intentionally defect. There is a stark warning to those who purposefully choose 'sin' over 'salvation'.

For if we sin wilfully 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

Some have argued that this passage means that you can lose your salvation. But that contradicts other verses that confirm a true believer's eternal security ... 

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 1 John 3:9

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:27-30

Those who reject the Gospel after claiming to be a follower of Christ are apostate 'false converts' who are ... Like a dog that returns to its vomit. (Proverbs 26:11)

This represents the 'wilful sinning' of Hebrews 10:26. It is not from ignorance or weakness but a deliberate turning of one’s back on the truth (having full knowledge of Christ's redemptive act). 

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.. 2 Peter 2:21

God will not forgive sin without a sacrifice, and since an apostate has rejected the only sacrifice available to him (Jesus Christ) ... he is left without means to be forgiven. 

We are admonished to 'work out our salvation with fear and trembling' (Philippians 2:12) and not play games with God by making a false profession of faith. 

It is important to heed Peter’s advice ... Make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. (2 Peter 1:10)

To sin wilfully is to be proud and presumptuous in one's defiance of God. Having rejected the atonement made on Calvary's cross ... the 'unpardonable sin' takes root in the lives of so many.