Hebrews 10:11-18  (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Hebrews 10:11-18.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 10:11-14 (NIV) 
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  Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 
14  because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

On verses 11-14:  Here we see the theme again of “once and for all” (see Hebrews 10:10).  Jesus laid down His life once, and this was enough to take away the sins of all who place their trust in Jesus.  Compare that to the priests under the old covenant who could never take away the sins of the people or make them holy in God’s sight despite offering sacrifices again and again.

Also, notice this mystery: Jesus “has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (v14).  Here the Bible recognizes this dual reality in our lives.  On one level (from heaven’s perspective) the blood of Jesus covers our sins and makes us perfect, acceptable and holy in the sight of God.  On another level (from earth’s perspective) we are still “being made holy” (v14); that is, in our practical day to day living, we all have areas where we are still far from perfect and are trying to become more like Jesus.  So which is it?  Are we holy in God’s sight or are we being made holy?  The answer is yes to both!  The first relates to our justification – how Jesus’ blood makes us completely acceptable in God’s sight now. The second relates to our sanctification – how till the day we reach heaven every day we are still striving to become more like Jesus in our character, values, attitude and lifestyle.  Praise God.  Through Jesus, we are being made holy and we’re already holy in God’s sight!

Hebrews 10:15-18 (NIV) 
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, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

On verses 15-18:  Just as he did in Hebrews 8:8-12, the writer of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah 31:33-34, again attributing these words to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and not just to Jeremiah’s own ideas (v15).  He quotes Jeremiah 31:33-34 as proof that the Old Testament was pointing to the new covenant that God would make with His people, forgiving their sins and putting His laws on their hearts by giving them the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, praise You that because You died on the cross for our sins, we don’t need to offer any more sacrifices or perform any good works to earn Your forgiveness.   You have paid for me once and for all! And thank You not just for forgiving my sins but also giving me Your Holy Spirit, by which I can know Your laws, draw close to Your heart and become more like You in the way I live.   In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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