Day 26 - Perfect and Being Perfected

Lord Jesus Christ, speak to me.

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

There is another big, five dollar word in our Scripture verse today – the word “sanctified.” To be sanctified is to be made holy, or perfected. And what is cool about the verse above is that it says that He, meaning Jesus, has perfected those who are being sanctified (made holy, perfected). How can we be “perfect” and continue to be made perfect at the same time? It would seem that you would have to be one or another. But it is true! If you are a Christ-follower, you have been perfected and at the same time are being perfected? How is this? Pardon my theological hat, but there are two part to this “sanctification” thing. It’s called positional sanctification and progressive sanctification. Positionally, God views as being totally perfect because of what Jesus did for us. Through faith in Christ, we have been perfected – we no longer have the stain of sin on our life. Jesus has removed that through His death and resurrection and has given us His righteousness. But, if you’re a Christ-follower, you’ll easily note that the reality in your own life is that you are not living perfectly. That is where progressive sanctification comes in. God views you as perfect (in Christ), and then He sets on a journey of being made perfect. Our lives should be moving towards holiness – that we are beginning to live more perfect lives. We are in the process of being sanctified.

So, just as we are justified (see earlier devotion), we are also sanctified. God views us as perfect and holy. And even though we can’t live perfectly, we strive to live lives of obedience to God that reflects a progressive holiness. We may not be perfect, but we are striving to move in that direction!

Thank God today for your perfection, and respond to that gift by striving to live a life that pleases Him and brings Him joy.