“For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
– Hebrews 10:14
Main Thought: The writer of Hebrews is reminding these Jewish believers of the eternal satisfaction for their sins that Christ made upon the cross. Prior to the death of Christ, the Jews understood that sacrifices, such as the Passover, needed to be repeated over and over through time. Those sacrifices, as the writer reminds us in Hebrews 10:1-3, did not bring eternal satisfaction, being a reminder of sins and were only a foreshadowing of what would come in the sacrifice of Christ, stating in Hebrews 10:4 that it was “impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” When Christ came as our substitutionary atonement, He was fulfilling the will of the Father from before time began, and the blood He shed by that “single offering” not only forgave every sin that all who believe by faith in Him would ever commit, but “perfected” or accomplished for all time our standing as children of God. There is not anything to be added to it; no contrition, no penance, no works, no not anything. For anyone to say that something else is needed is to say that Christ’s perfect blood was not enough. The blood Christ shed on the Cross was perfectly and completely efficient and sufficient for those for whom He died. That is verified by Christ’s own words upon the cross when He said “It is finished” (John 19:30) and by the fact that He rose again and ascended back to the Father in heaven, showing that there was nothing left for Him to do for us regarding payment for sin. That does not mean we take this salvation for granted, for as is said here we are “being sanctified,” meaning God is continuing to do a work in us through the Holy Spirit and the Word, and those who are progressing in this sanctification will continue to pursue Him and glorify Him in their lives. What a wonderful thought and what confidence we have, knowing it is not our works and righteousness that assure us of eternal salvation, but it is the single act of Christ, offering Himself upon the Cross that is the surety of our salvation. Thank Him daily that He has secured your salvation for all eternity.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)