Scripture
For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
Observation
In contrast to the old system of priests who had to offer continual sacrifices for the sins of the people, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for all sins for all people. We can rejoice that we no longer have to live under the old sacrificial system, but instead get to live in the freedom of forgiveness of sins through Christ’s sacrifice. We can thank God that we don’t have to work our way into heaven as Jesus has done that work on the cross once and for all. The important point of this passage is summed up in this one verse, but it seems that we are often tempted to read the first part of verse 14 while skipping over the second part. Through Jesus and the offering of His body on that Cross we are forever made perfect. Yet, there is also a process we are invited into that is making us holy or set apart.
Application
This life long process of becoming holy is called sanctification. It’s a word that was common place in the church of our grandfathers, but has largely disappeared from modern day Christian vernacular. We rejoice in the fact that Jesus has perfected us in His love, but have forgotten that walking out the perfection in a sinful world is a day by day, moment by moment decision to choose Him over and against our unholy desires. This is how Biblical scholar David Duzik puts it: “This makes it plain that the work of Jesus is effective only for those who are being sanctified. The work of Jesus is capable of saving every human being, but it is only effective in saving those who are being sanctified (set apart to God).” Dave Peterson recounts this story: “A TV reporter became interested in the Apollo trips to the moon—what did they talk about? He was surprised to find how much conversation was devoted to course corrections. Apparently, the lunar spacecraft was off course something like 85% of the time. When I asked a friend who was heavily involved in the Apollo missions if this was true, he told me it was. Once leaving the earth’s orbit, because of limitations of fuel, the spacecraft mostly drifted, unpropelled to the moon. But occasionally, small retro-rockets were fired to correct the course. It’s not a bad description of the Christian walk.” It’s one thing to be saved unto perfection through Christ, it’s a whole other thing to walk out that salvation in our daily choices, our course corrections, in what we watch, listen to, who we spend time with, how we spend our time. Becoming holy, or being sanctified, is a life long process of obedience which, as Eugene Peterson described, is “a long obedience in the same direction.” Could it be that so many have fallen away from the faith because they grabbed ahold of the salvation but abandoned the sanctification? Is this why we see so many who call themselves Christians choosing the unholy lifestyles so currently accepted by the culture around us? Thankfully, our Savior, our Holy High Priest is with us daily to help us walk out of our hurts, habits, and hang ups as we pursue holiness in all we say and do. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Prayer
I repent for trying to find a shortcut around the sanctification process. In this instantaneous culture I try to avoid delayed gratification. I want it now, and yet the walk of holiness is the gradual pilgrimage from where I am to where You have called me to be. Every moment of every day is an opportunity to see every irritation and interruption as an invitation to sanctification. Holiness is really You bringing about wholeness to my thoughts and actions. “35So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
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