In a recent sermon
on Hebrews 7, it was pointed out that we often go through life with a vague
sense of guilt. This can be true even of those who are confident of their
salvation. There have been times when I’ve found myself praying “Lord, forgive
me,” but then realize that I am not aware of any sin for which I need
forgiveness. I could interpret that one of two ways. Either the Holy Spirit is
prompting me to search myself for some hidden sin (and I’m sure I’d find
something eventually), or the enemy is prodding me with guilt and shame in
order to keep me from being effective for the kingdom. Most of the time it’s
the latter, and it clearly takes discernment to distinguish which it is
(Hebrews 5:14).
A verse came to mind
recently when the enemy was attempting to sidetrack me with old sin: “And such
were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1
Corinthians 6:11 ESV). Paul makes it plain (using the aorist indicative) that
these things have been accomplished and are not something awaiting future
fulfillment. The author of Hebrews makes a similar statement, but puts it in
the tense of a completed action with continuing effects (perfect middle
participle): “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all… For by a single offering He has perfected
for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10, 14).
Such statements are hard to wrap our brains around when
we’re aware of our own sinfulness. How can something be categorically true and
yet false in our daily experience? I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but
I believe it hinges upon the fact that God is outside of time (though
proponents of “openness theology” would disagree). He can look at the entirety
of human history as we might look at a printed timeline. In His view, Jesus’
death on the cross was sufficient to cover all our sins past and present, so
our sanctification has been purchased once and for all. But we can’t see the
end from the beginning. What we see is the daily struggle to resist temptation
and to glorify God.
John Piper says of Hebrews 10:14, “This verse means that you
can stand perfected and completed in the eyes of your heavenly Father not because
you are perfect now but… that, by faith in God’s promises, you are moving away
from your lingering imperfection toward more and more holiness” (http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/perfected-for-all-time-by-a-single-offering).
On one hand, it can be discouraging to know that we’ve not
yet arrived and the struggles persist. But on the other hand, we should find
great encouragement in knowing that God sees us as we will be for eternity—perfected
in Christ Jesus. He doesn’t get tired of our frequent falls and pleas for
grace. I imagine it’s a bit like a parent who says, “I can put up with the
terrible twos (or teens) because I know that it won’t last, and something
better is coming.” But it’s even better than that because God has perfect
knowledge of what is coming, and one day there will be no more disappointment
for any of His children.
In the meantime, we can keep on pressing on, claiming the
forgiveness that is ours in Christ. And when the enemy tries to trip us up and
drag us down into despair, we can ignore him because we know the truth and the
truth has set us free.
“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 3:11).
