“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
–Hebrews 10:14 NIV
Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom, by making the sacrifice for us on the cross and it only happened one time. This one time was enough to wash our sins away forever, because He is God’s son. From the time we accept salvation, our sins are washed away forever, and we are made perfect in Christ. What does it mean to be made perfect in Christ? I believe it means that His grace is sufficient to cover all of our sin making us like Him, so that we can enter heaven.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV.
Does this mean we don’t sin anymore? No, but it means all of our sins have been covered by the blood of Christ. We are no longer living under the law, but by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Isaiah 64:5 says, “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Nothing we can do, can ever earn our way into heaven. The price has already been paid ONE time, by our ONE and ONLY King, Jesus Christ. We choose to try not to sin after Salvation, because He dwells within us and He sees everything we are doing first hand. So, we know when He is not pleased with our actions and we don’t want to sin, because it gets in the way of our relationship with Him. Still, our good works of helping others don’t get us into heaven- they are simply our way of worshipping and expressing gratitude to Christ. And, although it may seem unfair, the price for everyone who chooses salvation is already paid, regardless if they got saved 3 minutes before their death or at age 6. But, those who come to Christ have the blessing of being in a relationship (communication) with Him throughout their life. But, nobody is deserving of salvation or can gain salvation from good works or trying to live a sinless life. As humans, it is impossible for us to live a sinless life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23 NIV
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. “–Romans 3:23-24 NIV
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.’ –Philippians 3:12 NLV
We are saved by grace ALONE. And, it is grace that works through us to accomplish God’s work. Grace is what makes us what we are now, but grace isn’t finished with us yet. Amen.
