PERFECTED!

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)

THE SACRIFICE, OR VOLUNTARY DEATH, of Christ achieved the Divine objective regarding perfection. God's nature required perfection in His creatures, and Christ's sacrifice achieved it. This is the declaration of Scripture."For by one offering He hath perfected for all time those who are sanctified" (NASB). Do not hesitate to receive this affirmation, neither be tempted to explain it away. It is the truth of God.

ALL STANDARD VERSIONS of Scripture use the word "perfected" in this verse. To name a few, Revised Standard, American Standard, New International Version, Today's English Version, New American Standard, New Revised Standard, New English, and New King James. Other versions such as The Living Bible, Phillips Modern English, and the Jerusalem Bible, also use "perfection" or "perfect." Mind you, the consistency of versions is not necessary to establish the truth of Scripture. The point I want to make is that there has been no question among translators about the expression of the Spirit in Hebrews 10:14 – and there should be no question in our minds about it.

THE WORD "PERFECT" comes from a word meaning to complete, i.e., accomplish, or consummate (in character): consecrate, finish, fulfil, (make) perfect (strong). For what it is worth, Liddell and Scott define the words "to make perfect: to inaugurate, consecrate, to complete, bring to accomplishment: to make successful . . . generally, to fulfill, accomplish, effect." While doctrine cannot be built upon the lexical definition of words, I give this to show you the strength of the word.

IT MAKES LITTLE DIFFERENCE how you look at "perfection," Hebrews 10:14 is an arresting statement of what Jesus accomplished in His death. What is more, that accomplishment, namely the perfection "forever" of those who are "sanctified" is scarcely known among the people with whom I have companied in the past!

I WANT TO STATE THIS as strongly as I can; namely, that Christ's vicarious death "perfected forever them that are sanctified." Jesus has done everything that is necessary for your acceptance by God! He has met God's requirement for perfection in your behalf. God has received you in Christ "without sin," having forgiven you of "all trespasses!" Nothing more needs to be offered to God for your acceptance! You are not working for Divine approval, nor are you commanded to do so! Your work is to "abide" in His love and acceptance, fully aware of your endorsement by Him! You are fully justified in Jesus!

BY SAYING "PERFECTED FOREVER," the Spirit provides God's perspective of the situation. By the grace of God, that view – which is the true one – can also be ours! Christ, through His death, removed everything that stood between God and man. The lack of perfection is nothing more than the presence of sin, which is the only inhibiting factor in our universe. Were there no sin, there would be no imperfection! When Jesus "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26), He did, by that very act, "perfect forever" those that are "sanctified." Here, the word "sanctified" is synonymous with "made holy." The idea is that holiness, or acceptance and recognition by, God, proceeds from the effective removal of our transgressions – all of them.

NOTE, THE PERFECTION is "forever." As you must know, this does not mean "once in grace always in grace," nor is such an absurdity ever suggested in God's Word. The "forever," like remission, is only "in Christ." It is Christ, and Christ alone, who enables us to be "sanctified" – and only those who are "sanctified" are "perfected forever." It is written, "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, Who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor 1:30, NASB). Simply put, "abide," or remain, in Jesus (John 15:4,7), and you are fully accepted by God, perfect and complete in Him (Col 2:10).

TO ENSURE THAT YOU can abide in Him, the Holy Spirit of God is given to you to tutor you in the truth revealed in Scripture, and help you distinguish false prophets from true ones (1 John 2:27,28). If you do not "grieve," "quench," or "resist" the Holy Spirit of God, "ye shall abide in Him!"

FORGIVEN OF ALL TRESPASSESBecause God requires perfection, ALL of your sins had to be forgiven, blotted out, and cast into the depths of the sea. Believe that this does occur in Christ! " . . . having forgiven you all trespasses" (Col 2:13). From this standpoint, your present perfection consists of the remission of all of your sins! This truth is affirmed repeatedly for our confidence. "And by Him all that believe are justified from ALL things" (Acts 13:39). "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ALL sin" (1 John 1:9). "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will NOT impute sin" (Rom 4:7-8.

SIN IS EITHER FORGIVEN in its totality, or not at all! There is no such thing as partial remission, incomplete acceptance, or fragmented righteousness. Blessed is the one who sees this! For those who imagine that situation can be exploited by men without impunity – thing again!

– Given O. Blakely