For the past 10 weeks I have been studying God's covenant in a Precept Bible Study through my church. It has opened my eyes in ways that have never happened before (more on that later). Last night though while studying Hebrews 9 and 10, something about salvation became crystal clear and that's what I wanted to share with you this morning.
"For by one offering He (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."
Hebrews 10:14
(I added the parentheses.)
I have read this verse many times before but have really struggled with the word "perfect." Based on my experience and what our culture says, to be perfect means nothing could be made better. I struggled to apply my working defintion of "perfection" to this verse. How can my salvation not be made better?
Upon further study and some insight from Jan, my bible study teacher, I found out that the word perfect comes from the Greek word (I think) "telieoo" which means to have been made complete or have finished. Hmm, through the one-time offering of Jesus, my salvation has been finished. Made complete. There is nothing left to do about my salvation because Jesus Christ did all that needed to be done. Let that sink in a second. If that's not enough to take your breath away, consider this three word phrase in the middle of that verse: for all time. This has been completed once and for all time or for eternity. Doesn't that bring reassurance?
I know it's one small verse but it brought me such encouragement last night that I had to share this morning. I am in awe of God's word and what He has revealed to us through it. I pray that your eyes and mine would continue to be opened to His teaching and that our lives may be changed by it.
2 comments:
Makes you want to dance for joy, huh?!!!! Praise God for his goodness!
Great post, Katy! We have been learning about "why we believe what we believe" at our church for the past few months and through that journey have taken a look at why other faiths are not the way. The one thing that keeps coming up is free salvation. The fact that nothing we can do can earn salvation, whereby, giving us nothing to boast about, is central to Christian faith and is not seen in other religions. It is so reassuring to know that because we don't have to work towards our salvation, have have certainty of eternal life with Jesus. Think about it... those that live under the belief that they are conintually working towards heaven-worthiness, never experience assurance of eternal life.
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