09/11/S – Saved Completely

NT: “So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever.” Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7:18-25‬ ‭CSB)

As a reminder, the book of Hebrews was primarily written to Jewish Christians, who under the pressures of persecution, were considering leaving their faith in Christ and reverting back to Judaism. Much of the book of Hebrews proves out that everything we have through faith in Christ is better than what was available under strict adherence to Judaic law. Ultimately, the law was giving for this purpose: to make people aware of their own unrighteousness and their need for salvation. The law only had the power to condemn. It did not have the power to save, to make one righteous, or to give life. Ultimately, as the law pointed to our need for salvation, it pointed to Christ who was the only one worthy to fulfill the law and complete its intended purpose. Because the law was weak and unprofitable, and because the law became fulfilled in Christ; through Christ, the law was annulled and a new covenant was established. With the establishment of a new covenant came the establishment of a new priesthood; which was much, much better.

Like the law under which it was established, the Levitical priesthood was imperfect. Because it was imperfect, it could not continue forever. Because it could not continue forever, God swore in an oath that He would establish a new and everlasting priesthood. All of the Levitical priests eventually died, but the new priest of the new everlasting priesthood would remain forever and hold His priesthood permanently. That new permanent priest is Jesus Christ who has become the eternal guarantee of God’s new and better covenant. The Greek word for covenant refers to a last will and testament. As the Son of God and the Word of God made flesh, Christ basically wrote the will. He then died, sealing the will with His own blood and allowing the will to take effect. Finally, Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven where He now sits overseeing and guaranteeing the terms of the will forever.

Christ’s death provided the means for our salvation: it paid for our sin and put the new covenant of grace in effect. When we place our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are saved. However, it doesn’t end there. Because Christ ever lives and intercedes for us as our priest before God, Christ not only saves – He saves us completely. In other words, beyond just saving us, Christ continues sanctifying those who come to God through Him unto perfection. The longer we remain in Christ by faith… approaching God through Him… the more we are sanctified from glory, to glory into His likeness. And if we remain in Him by faith until the end, we will be completely perfected by Him in glory.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the salvation that You provided and secured for me through Your sacrificial death on the cross. Through faith in You, I am truly saved. I also thank You that Your word didn’t end there. As I remain in You, not only am I saved, I am continuously sanctified and made more and more like You… here on earth and ultimately with You in glory. Thank You for Your covenant of grace. Continue molding me, shaping me and sanctifying me by grace as I reman in You through faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.