“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Hebrews 10:14
“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
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19
