By one
sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made
holy (14). Let this statement sink in.
I find myself reading and
rereading it again and again. The spiritual reality of this is staggering! In
the heavenlies before the Father, Jesus’ sacrifice has made me perfect, made
everyone who believes perfect!
The change of verbal tenses
in that sentence is powerful. he has made
perfect forever… an accomplished deal. A finished action! We have
been made perfect forever!!!
those
who are being made holy… this is an ongoing, not yet
completely finished work. God is working in us, making us perfect. This action
is not yet completed. Every time I look in the mirror or reflect on my life I
know this all too well!
I am a work in progress
with a guaranteed end… perfect forever! As Dr. Gordon Fee would say, “Christians
are people becoming what by God’s grace they already
are.”
And what do I do with this
truth? Verses 19-25 answer the ‘what should I do’
question.
Therefore, brothers, … let us draw
near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed
with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who
promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.
Before you close the Word
for today spend some time with the ‘salad’ served in these 7 verses. Chew on
each of the 5 types of lettuce (i.e. “let us…”) and let the Holy Spirit speak to
you…
Holy Spirit
speak… speak specifically to each and everyone of us, I pray, through Christ, my
Lord. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment