One Perfect Offering

"By one offering, He hath perfected for ever them who are sanctified." -Hebrews 10:14 [KJV]

We have two remarkable instances of St. Paul’s holy zeal for the glory of his Lord. (1st.) Against a gross sin in the church of Corinth. This brought a scandal upon the holy gospel of Christ. (2d.) Against a legal, self-righteous spirit, which obtained in the church of Galatia. This depreciated and dishonoured the finished work of Christ, and perverted the faith of His members. It is hard to say, whether St. Paul’s zeal exceeded most, in the former or the latter. Hence learn profaneness and pride, are equally contrary to the faith of the gospel. 

As a holy faith brings Christ, and His salvation into the heart, it casts out the love of sin, as well as self-righteous hopes. Here is a glorious truth for precious faith to fix upon. O that through the Spirit, it may bring joy and peace to our souls. Consider, who are said to be “sanctified” here? 

(1st.) Those who are separated and set apart by God the Father, according to His electing love (Jude 1.) (2d.) Separated, set apart and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, to possess a holy faith in Jesus, and a holy life from Him. (3d.) In what sense has Christ perfected them for ever? My dear reader, it is for want of faith in this, that we feel so much distress in our consciences, so little love to Christ in our hearts, and enjoy no more peace with God in our souls. Sin causes all this. 

But Christ has perfected us for ever; that is, He hath taken away all our sins, fully and finally from before God: He has so perfectly freed us from all the charges of law and justice, that there is now, not one condemnation against us, no more than if we had never sinned. 

(3d.) How has Christ done this? “One offering.” O the love of Christ in this offering for sinners who deserved it not! O the willingness of Christ in it! “He gave himself for our sins,” (Galatians 1:4.) O the pains and agonies He endured for our salvation! O the glorious efficacy of His offering upon the cross! He made there (by His one oblation of Himself) satisfaction for our sins. Thus He hath once for all, and for ever satisfied the justice of God, appeased His wrath, and perfectly reconciled His holiness to us. 

But (4th.) How is the comfort of this enjoyed? By faith. Is this true? Yes, says St. Paul, we have the most infallible evidence for its veracity, “Whereof the Holy Ghost is a witness to us,” (Hebrews 10:15.) Then, as we value peace of conscience, hope of heart, and love of soul, we are bound to honour the Spirit of truth, by faith unfeigned. -I Timothy 1:5

 

For ever perfected by Christ, 

We hope our God to see, 

That makes us boldly sin resist 

And from vile lusts to flee. 

Christ’s off’ring once upon the cross, 

Through faith doth sanctify; 

All else is but as dung and dross, 

And cannot purify.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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