Hebrews 10:8-18 — Perfect Works In Progress

READ THIS: Hebrews 10:8-18

8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he adds:  “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” 18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

The first thing the author does here is explain the last part of yesterday's verses! They are basically emphasizing that Jesus came to be a greater and more final sacrifice than any offering that could have been made in an earthly temple. Verse 12 shows us this! When the author says, "this priest," they mean Jesus. But, the big verse to pay attention to here is verse 14... through Jesus's sacrifice, "He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy!" But wait a minute... how can we be perfect if we are also being made holy? How can we be perfect if we are also works in progress?
 
That's where verses 15-18 come in! First, we are made perfect through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus's blood covers us and the Holy Spirit lives in us, God doesn't see our brokenness... He sees the goodness of Christ and the Spirit. Secondly, when we do what we do best... sin... Jesus is quick to forgive us again and again when we come to Him. You see, people who are "being made holy" are people who believe in Jesus, receive the Spirit, and quickly turn to Jesus when they sin!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What do you think it looks like to be made holy today? What can you be doing today to allow God to make you more and more holy?
 
2. Are you quick to give Jesus your sins and burdens when they come? Why or why not?

TRY THIS:

It can be easy for us to forget that Jesus is quick to forgive us when we aren't quick to forgive ourselves or others, so practice some quick forgiveness today! Today, when you fall short in any way, try your best to turn to Jesus as quickly as you can with whatever it is, then let it go!

SONG OF THE WEEK:
 
Listen to this song and who YOU might be able to set free from chains of unforgiveness/shame/pain!





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