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Daily Devotion: Hebrews 10:9-10 (2)

Hebrews 10:9-10    "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.  (10)  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

"We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ (that was prepared) once for all."  I must address those last two words: "for all."  In most Bibles, those words are italicized; that is, they were added by the interpreters.  It is very important to understand the reason for those two words. If Jesus died for every person who has ever been born, if those two words mean every individual, then I will be bold to say every individual who has ever been born will be in heaven. Don't leave me yet, for we know there is a hell and we know it is occupied. The reason for my first statement about those two words is because Jesus has plainly said that "All that the Father gave to Him shall have eternal life."  See John 6:37 and John 17:1-2 for the actual words of Jesus concerning that subject.  We can know that Jesus did not die for every person; rather, He died for those who were given to Him in that covenant (promise) of grace even before the world was created.

So how do we know, how can we know, that we are in that covenant?  If  you have ever felt remorse and guilt for your sin, you are an heir of God. If you have ever felt the need to repent, you are an heir of God. If you have ever asked the Lord for forgiveness, you are an heir of God.  If you have ever felt the presence of the Almighty protecting you from imminent danger, you are an heir of God.  If you have ever had a desire to know more about this Jesus, you are an heir of God. If you have ever wanted to identify yourself with Christ (become a member of His Church), you are an heir of God. If you have love in your heart for God and for His people, you are an heir of God.  Can you see what I'm saying?  These things are not causes that enable us to become children of God; rather, they are evidence that we are already a child of the Eternal Almighty God of Heaven.

So then, to what do those two words, "for all," refer?  "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  (25)  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  (26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:2-26)  The blood of Jesus Christ is efficient and sufficient to wash us clean of all our sins. He doesn't have to offer His blood over and over as they did under the law; rather, ONCE He offered Himself to the Father FOR ALL our sins, past - present - future.

I will close with the words from the beautiful old hymn, "It Is Well" which was written by Horatio G. Spafford.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

When Jesus died for yours and my sins, He paid the price for them all. As we continue on in this 10th Chapter, we will see that it does not give us permission to go live like the world.  Hebrews 9:14 teaches us that if we properly understand and appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made for us, our conscience should be purged that we would serve the living God. Here are the questions I must ask myself.  How is it with me?  Am I thankful Jesus died to cleanse me from my sins (all of them)? If so, am I diligently seeking to serve Him?

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