By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Hebrews 10:10, 14, 18 

We continue to look at the idea that our redemption in Jesus is eternal. Today’s passage instructs on the completeness and finality of the cross and the redemptive power that it brings for everyone who will believe (trust) in Christ (Romans 1:16). 

1. Believers are sanctified through the body of Christ once for all

When Jesus went to the cross, He was accomplishing something that we cannot, in a lifetime of trying, do for ourselves. Consider the words of Paul: 

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 

                                                                                                     Colossians 1:19-20

The fullness of God dwelt in Christ, meaning that God was reconciling the world to Himself through the cross, not counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). Peace with God has now been established for all who will come to Christ by faith. It is our faith in God’s accomplishment on the cross that brings us salvation, reconciliation, righteousness, and spiritual peace. And this is not something that must be continually done through religious ritual or good behavior rather it has been done, once for all. 

2. He has perfected us for all time (eternal redemption)

The spiritual perfection that we have in Christ is for all time. This is another way of saying that our redemption in Jesus is eternal and not dependent on our performance in any way. Through faith, our position in Christ is secure. Again, consider the words of Paul: 

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men (mankind), even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men (mankind).

                                                                                                                   Romans 5:18 

For those who reject the good news, there is condemnation because they have not believed in the only One who was sacrificed on their behalf (John 3:18). Unbelievers are left with no other alternatives for salvation since the blood of Jesus is the only sufficient sacrifice for the sins of man. But for those who believe, this one act of obedience on the cross reverses the curse of the one act of disobedience on the part of Adam. In other words, our spiritual problem and enmity with God happened before we were even born. Likewise, the solution to our spiritual dilemma was also secured long before we were on this earth. That is why failing to acknowledge our sin is like calling God a liar (1 John 1:8,10) and failing to receive salvation by faith is the same. Believers have been perfected for all time and can rest in the completed work of Jesus on the cross as a means of being saved. 

3. There is no longer any offering for sin

Finally, because the cross brings vindication and absolution to those who believe, there is now no offering necessary for our sin. Jesus has paid it all! Consider the words of the Old Testament prophet: 

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

                                                                                                                     Hosea 6:6 

Jesus spoke similar words to the religious leaders of the day:

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

                                                                                                                   Matthew 9:13 

The sacrifice for our sin has already been paid and as a result, we can live our lives being loyal to God and being merciful to those around us.

Our debt has been paid and it was done because of the love, mercy, and grace of God and it was accomplished on the cross of Jesus Christ. No other philosophy, religious ritual, or moral behavior can save. Only when we place our complete trust in the Person of Jesus can we see abundant life now and be secure in having life eternal. Jesus died once for all and this invitation to be reconciled to God is for everyone who will believe!