Lifelong Process

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV®)
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

I don’t often discuss the grammatical details of the Bible, but the action words in this verse are significant. The first verb in this verse—”has made”—is in the perfect tense. It means that Jesus’ sacrifice is complete and will never need to be made again. The second verb—”are being made”—is in the continuing present tense. It means what we do in response to Jesus’ sacrifice is not complete. It means Jesus did something perfectly and completely so you and I might live out the process of being made holy. Many of us have the idea that our business with God is finished when we make a profession of faith or are dunked in a pool. The fact is, we will spend the rest of our days under the sun learning to grow up into the fullness of what Jesus made available to us through His redemptive work on the cross. It is a lifelong process, but it is one that will be more rewarding than any other quest we will ever undertake.

THINK ABOUT IT
Jesus was the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for the sin of humanity. We want to respond to that by expressing our gratitude to Him and honoring His sacrifice through our daily actions, attitudes, and aspirations.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I understand my business with you was not concluded when I proclaimed Jesus as Lord—it was just beginning. I am in the process of being saved, day-by-day. May I continually cooperate with Your Holy Spirit as He helps me to honor Jesus’ sacrifice in every part of my being, every day. In His name, amen.