Made Perfect, Being Made Holy

But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

—Hebrews 10:12 (NLT)

 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

—Hebrews 10:14 (NLT)

Gracious and Merciful God,

Thank You that the single sacrifice of Jesus, for the past, present and future sins of all mankind, has made eternal life with You possible, for all who will accept, by faith, this freely offered gift.

Thank You that my acceptance of His offering of Himself in sacrifice for my sin is all that is required in order for me to be forgiven of my sin—that because of His sacrifice, I am made right before You, perfectly justified in Your sight.

Help me to understand that it isn’t by my good works that I get to Heaven, because to add any requirements to my acceptance of the gift of eternal life is to deny the validity of not only the gift, but also the power of Christ who made the sacrifice—implying that His sacrifice was not enough to forgive me of my sins.

Help me to see my good works only as evidence of Your presence at work in me—an outflow of my loving relationship with You—my heart’s desire being to follow You in willing obedience and service, out of gratitude for all that You have done.

Help me to see that while I now have right standing with You—because I have accepted the offer of salvation through faith in Your Son—You still are at work within me, progressively cleansing and changing me in order to set me apart for Your special use.

Help me to be encouraged, rather than discouraged, by the process of my growth—confident that You are not finished with me yet and that—as I allow You to do so—You use all of my faults and  failures and ultimately turn them for good, as You form me into the person that You desire me to be.

Thank You that the single sacrifice of Jesus, for the past, present and future sins of all mankind, has made eternal life with You possible, for all who will accept, by faith, this freely offered gift.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.