To Sin with Knowledge

“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Heb. 10:26

Millions have committed this sin. The ones who have the knowledge of the truth are in the danger to sin willfully. People in the world who are ignorant of the truth do sin daily, but their sin can be forgiven; the sacrifice of Jesus will pay for their sins if they repent when they learn the truth.

Many, who have learnt the truth, do not love it. They complain about the requirements for salvation. They do not like the church rules, it can be Sabbath-keeping, health reform, tithe paying, marriage laws, dress reform or any other teaching of the church which is part of the truth to us that they do not love; therefore blindness will fall upon them.

“…because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they ail might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thes. 2:10-12

“Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those who honor Him.” MYP 114

Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church. They knew the law but decided to lie to the church. It was a sin with knowledge and therefore Peter did not ask them to repent and to confess, but a sudden death came upon them both. They had made a promise to give all but because of covetousness they did not honor their pledge.

“Ananias and Sapphira began to regret their promise, and soon lost the sweet influence and the blessing that had warmed their hearts with a desire to do large things in behalf of the cause of Christ… Not to the early church only, but to all future generations, this example of God’s hatred of covetousness, fraud, and hypocrisy, was given as a danger signal. It was covetousness that Ananias and Sapphira had first cherished. The desire to retain for themselves a part of that which they had promised to the Lord, led them into fraud and hypocrisy…. The same God who punished them, today condemns all falsehood…”

“In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the sin of fraud was speedily punished. The same sin was often repeated in the after-history of the church, and is committed by many in our time. But though it may not be attended by the visible manifestation of God’s displeasure, it is no less heinous in His sight now than in the apostles’ time.” A.A. 72-76

Many who at their baptism made a promise to God to pay tithes of all their income and later decide to withhold it, commit a sin with knowledge similar to Ananias and Sapphira.
The world does not pay tithes to the Lord; but they have no knowledge of the law neither have they made a promise to obey it. Therefore they are not committing sin with knowledge.

Judas committed sin with knowledge, and when Jesus saw it, He did not rebuke Judas anymore. He only said, “that thou doest, do quickly.” John 13:27. Three and a half years Jesus had patiently worked with Judas, trying to save him but finally He had to give up. In the parable of Jesus the gardener asks for more time from the owner of the vineyard saying, “Let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Luke 13:8-9

How many let the last year of mercy in their lives pass without producing fruit, fit for heaven. That last year the Lord will do everything possible to save this person and then suddenly, one day he will be left alone.

“Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17. These idols could be money, television, vanity, idleness, unhealthy foods and many others. In Judas’ case his idol was money. In Uzzah’s case his sin was trying to do good by disobedience. Uzzah knew the commandment that none but certain priests were to touch the Ark of the Covenant, but because the oxen shook it he put out his hand to steady it and at that moment the Lord smote him beside the ark. That proves that the end does not justify the means. Many well-meaning people try to do good and be helpful but not according to God’s will. “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Rom. 10:2

Paul says of himself that he was “zealous toward God,” (Acts 22:3) while he was persecuting the church of God. Many may have great zeal toward God, but do not attain to righteousness. (Rom. 9:30-32) Paul was forgiven because he was lacking knowledge, but many others who have learnt the truth still may do like Uzzah and be not forgiven.

The people at Bethshemesh had no plans to hurt the ark or to do any damage; just to look inside from curiosity. “And He smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even He smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men.” 1 Sam. 6:19

People who lightly regard the holy things of God can commit the sin of the men of Bethshemesh. This includes the Sabbath day, the sanctuary, Bible, testimonies of the Spirit of Prophesy, the Lord’s Supper and many others. The knowledge of the truth that we have received makes us responsible to obey it all and to show proper reverence toward holy things. “But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at My word.” Isa. 66:2

May the Lord help us to understand the danger of committing sins after we have come to the knowledge of the truth. AMEN