NT Fire Starters – Day 313: Hebrews 10:1-18

READ: Hebrews 10:1-18

THINK: Perfection – many strive for it; a few even expect it. But as the cliche’ goes, nobody’s perfect. From a human standpoint, that’s true, and most people can accept that. But God is the Author of perfection. His character is perfect. His plans are perfect. And He’s able to bring us into those plans if only we surrender our own imperfect way of life and follow Him. We can’t do this by our own imperfect efforts, and we certainly won’t appear perfect in the process. Yet God has a perfect plan for each of us and He will work to perfect those of us who entrust ourselves to Him until the day we leave this imperfect world to be with Him forever. Then we’ll experience true perfection. Why settle for anything less?

RESPOND: In what way was God’s Old Testament law, with its sacrificial system, “a shadow of the good things” to come? In what way were the repetitious sacrifices of the Old Testament a constant reminder (v. 3)? What could these sacrifices never do (vv. 4, 11)? How did Jesus solve this problem? (See 10:4 note.) In what way did Jesus accomplish His Fathers will (vv. 5-10)? What did Jesus do after He had made the perfect sacrifice for sins (v. 12), and what does that position signify? What does it mean that Christ’s sacrifice makes “perfect forever those who are being made holy”? (See 10:14 note.) How does Jesus do this and what is the end result? What kind of spiritual life-transformation happens with the new covenant that never completely happened under the old (vv. 16-18)? Why is no further sacrifice needed for a person’s sins once he or she receives the forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ?

PRAY: Thank Jesus for doing what no religious systems, sacrifices, rituals or regulations could do – bring people into a right relationship with God, including complete forgiveness and open-access to Him. Give God thanks for writing His perfect law into your heart and mind. Praise Jesus for claiming His rightful place of authority at His Father’s right hand.

ACT: Accept God’s forgiveness once and for all for any past issues that have caused persistent guilt or condemnation. Also, demonstrate godly character by extending forgiveness to anyone who has hurt or offended you in the past. If appropriate, do this in person. But either way, give the situation to God and accept His freedom from the past.