Once and Done (Part 2)

By Pastor Chad

Christ’s death on the cross wasn’t a mere symbol or public protest. It wasn’t an empty, pointless gesture. Christ’s death has real-life spiritual, practical implications.  It did something. It still is doing something. It has an impact on lives to this very day. It may have taken place at one time–it was a once-for-all act–but its influence is eternal. 

In Hebrews 10, the author is completing his lengthy argument on the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. The message given is the very heart of the gospel: Christ’s death has eternal meaning. So, what does it mean? What did it accomplish? In Hebrews 10:11-18, we can see three major ramifications of Christ’s death on the cross. 

First, Christ’s death is sin-absolving. In other words, because of the sacrifice of Christ, our debt has been paid. We read in verses 17-18: “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” Because Christ died, our sins can be forgiven. Jesus’ once-and-for-all sacrifice removes the need for any animal sacrifice. Jesus‘s sacrifice is sufficient to pay the penalty of our sins. To claim that God will remember our sins no more does not mean God forgets about the sins we commit. That would contradict the very nature of God. The idea is that He does not hold those sins against us. We are no longer guilty of our sins. The sacrifice of Christ is so profound, that God declares us not guilty and removes the punishment of our sin. He permanently removed our sin from the record and no longer holds us responsible for it. 

Second, Christ’s death is triumphant. Christ’s death was not a defeat, but it was a victory over sin and death. As verses 12–13 state, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.” In human war, defeat likely comes at the expense of human lives. People die. Many times, death is seen as a total defeat. Our passage says that Jesus, after offering his life on the cross, sat down at the right hand of the Father. This is known as the Session of Christ, meaning he is in a place of power and authority over all creation, including His enemies. Death did not defeat him. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, He defeated death. 

And last, Christ’s death is sanctifying. Christ’s death has the power to purify our lives and soul. As the author of Hebrews writes in verse 14, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” The whole point of forgiving individuals of their sins and removing their guilt is so that they will be made right in the eyes of God. God is saving a people to set apart – that is, to make them holy. 

What does it mean to claim one is “perfected” but also “being made holy”? Notice, again, verse 14, the author writes that Christ “has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” If someone is already perfect, why does she need to continue to be sanctified? This passage highlights what theologians call objective and subjective sanctification. Objective sanctification means your sins have been forgiven and you have been made right in the eyes of God. Thus, if you died, you would spend eternity with Christ because He has made you holy. Subjective sanctification is the ongoing process of growing closer to God–or growing in our faith. Clearly, it is no secret, none of us are perfect. We all still sin. Thus, though Christians have been saved for our sin and cleansed of all unrighteousness, we still can grow closer to the Lord.

These may sound like heady, highfalutin ideas, but they have very real and very practical implications upon our lives. For all who repent of their sins and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are forgiven of their sins. They are now able to commune with God. They have been made holy in the eyes of God, and can now live as they were created to live. How much more practical can theology get?