<p>10:26 <em>For if we sin wilfully after what we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins</em>- The wilful sin in view is that of :25, forsaking the Christian assembly for that of the temple, seeking justification by sacrificial rituals and the Jewish, anti-Christian priesthood rather than by faith in the amazing priesthood of the Lord Jesus which has been explained in such compelling terms so far in Hebrews. &ldquo;The knowledge of the truth&rdquo; here refers in the context to the knowledge of forgiveness and salvation; it&rsquo;s parallel to the &ldquo;knowledge of salvation&rdquo; (Lk. 1:77). The &ldquo;truth&rdquo; is the ultimate, surpassing reality- that we are saved, by grace, and can look forward to that great salvation being revealed at the last day. There was only one effective sacrifice for sins made- by the Lord Jesus. As explained earlier in this section, that sacrifice does not need to be repeated, and the killing of animals for forgiveness was effectively trying to crucify or sacrifice the Lord Jesus again. The idea is not that there is no opportunity for repentance; that is always possible. Rather, the idea is that those who forsook the sacrifice of Jesus for the ritual sacrifices of Judaism were mistaken in thinking that those sacrifices could gain forgiveness. If they trusted in them, then they would not receive forgiveness.</p>