For by a single offering [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:14 (RSV)

 

While the Old Covenant required repeated sacrifices of animals to remind people of their sins, the New Covenant is based on Christ's one perfect sacrifice, which forgives and removes their sins once and for all. This frees us to enjoy God without feeling like we need to earn His love or mercy in some way. Rather, we choose to walk confidently in faith, knowing that God who began a good work in us at salvation will also help us to live in the fullness of our salvation.

According to the writer of Hebrews, we have been perfected for all time by Christ’s single offering. This means every sin –past, present, and future– was forgiven (Colossians 2:13-14) because our salvation is forever secured by Him who loved us and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2). In liberating us from all sinful encumbrances, God is freeing us to be who and what we are in Christ.

If justification is the root of salvation, then sanctification is the fruit of salvation. As we learn to live in the truth of this reality, we will discover sanctification is not about achieving perfection, but living in the perfection of Christ through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Sanctification is about living life in the Spirit, not in the flesh.

It is to focus on what the Holy Spirit is revealing and doing in us as we live out our salvation in Christ. The Holy Spirit will continue to give us the desire and power to what pleases God (Philippians 2:13). This does not mean that we will not fail or lose our way. We know, however, that God is with us to help us in our efforts to resist temptations and overcome sinful habits. When we learn to surrender our will to the will of the Spirit, we will experience victory upon victory in every area of life.