What we Are; What We’re Not

REFERENCE: Hebrews 10:14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

Observation: We are both perfect and being made holy. That statement is, at the same time, profoundly confusing and deeply profound. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf and our acceptance of it by faith, we are perfect, right now, just as we are. We don’t have to earn it, our sin will change this fact. It is foundationed on our relationship with Jesus and will never change as long as we are in relationship to Him.

On the other hand, as the old saying goes; “God is not through with me yet”. How true, He is making us holy. He is conforming us to the image of His Son. He continues to work on us, every day, in many ways.

So what response does this call for in us? First, a response of understanding who we are; if we could really grasp the fact that we are forever perfect then we would begin living up to that reality. Like a commoner who discovers that they are really a king, we would begin to live like a different person.

Our second response should be one of submission. If God is making us holy, our job is to stay close to Him and cooperate with His work. We should seek to be aware of what He is doing and find out how to see it happen even faster.

Lastly, don’t get discouraged. The wonderful thing about this plan is that while I am struggling to allow God to make me holy, I am already perfect. When we see so clearly the gap between our current holiness and the mark God has set out for us, instead of giving into discouragement, look to the perfection that is already there, inside of us.

Application/Confession: I have a ways to go. I am far below the mark but I want to get there, I want to cooperate with Him. I want to see who I am in His eyes in the midst of the struggle.

PRAYER: Lord, help me. Let me see my essential perfection and help me to fully get on board with you as you work to make me holy.