Everyone has something they must face head-on. The Christian life is not about avoiding the fight against sin—it's about confronting it through the power of Christ.
There comes a time when we need to square up with the issues surrounding us and find a biblical way to address them and move forward in wholeness instead of resigning to a life of complacency.
The writer of Hebrews challenges believers to square up against unholiness instead of shrinking back.
As we get into our passage today, I want to give a working definition of our subject matter. Before we can identify unholiness and battle against it, let’s work on taking a look at what it means to be holy.
Merriam-Webster defines holy as this: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
The Hebrew word for “holy” is kodesh. It comes from the root word “Kadash”. This root word, in simpler terms, means to be set apart for a specific purpose. When applied to God, it highlights His supreme transcendence and complete separation from sin and human limitations.
26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who has said,
Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,,
and again,
The Lord will judge his people.,
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession., 35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.
37 For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 But my righteous one will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure in him.,
39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.
Hebrews 10:26–39.
Recognize the Danger of Willful Sin (vv. 26–31)
Truth: Unholiness is never harmless.
Willful, ongoing rebellion hardens the heart.
Sin rejects the sacrifice Christ made.
God's grace should never become an excuse for careless living.
Reflection Questions:
Where have I become comfortable with compromise?
What sin have I stopped fighting?
Remember What God Has Already Done (vv. 32–34)
The writer reminds them of their earlier faithfulness.
They had:
- Endured suffering.
- Stood with persecuted believers.
- Lost possessions with joy because they knew they possessed something greater.
Truth: Remembering God's past faithfulness strengthens present obedience.
Reflection:
Recall seasons when you were passionate for Jesus.
Don't let yesterday's faith become today's memory.
Refuse to Throw Away Your Confidence (vv. 35–36)
"Do not throw away your confidence..."
Confidence is not arrogance. It is bold trust in Christ.
Key endurance:
- Keep obeying.
- Keep trusting.
- Keep moving forward.
Holiness is not a sprint but a lifelong pursuit.
Live by Faith, Not by Fear (vv. 37–39)
"The righteous one will live by faith."
There are only two directions:
- Shrinking back
- Pressing forward
Faith keeps walking even when circumstances are difficult because the road is clear, but so are the dangers of straying.
Holiness isn't perfection—it's faithful perseverance.
Practical Ways to Square Up Against Unholiness:
- Confess sin quickly.
- Stay rooted in God's Word.
- Pray before temptation becomes action.
- Surround yourself with godly believers.
- Remember your identity in Christ daily.
The Christian life demands courage.
The writer of Hebrews leaves us with a challenge:
Don't drift.
Don't compromise.
Don't shrink back.
Square up against unholiness because Christ has already won the victory, and those who trust Him endure to the end.
