Encourager - Complete In Him

November 1999

COMPLETED IN JESUS

Hebrews 10:9-14

It was Franz Schubert who wrote the great masterpiece, The Unfinished Symphony. Great because of it’s quality and notable because it continues in an incomplete state. It is exactly opposite the work of salvation found in Jesus Christ. The law was like the Unfinished Symphony. It could not accomplish the finished work of salvation with it’s many sacrifices, but Christ accomplished it through His one sacrifice. Jesus has completed the work that makes possible a believers relationship with God. We can have total confidence in Him and His finished work. Here are three areas mentioned by the writer of Hebrews which describe that work. Believers are:

FULLY SANCTIFIED (Heb 10: 9, 10)
"Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The will of God is completely satisfied in Christ. The law was unable to take away sin, it could only cover it till God’s appointed time. (Gal 4:4). At the fullness of time, Christ took our sins upon Himself and died in our place. Death could not hold the Author of Life, He arose again and now offers eternal life to all who trust in Him. To those who look to Christ’s finished work, God sanctifies or sets apart for Himself. The very word church in scripture is translated from a Greek word meaning "to call out". This world is condemned in sin and waiting for judgment. The Christians judgment has been poured out on Christ, so they can look confidently to His return in glory to take them to Himself. Hebrews 2:11 says, "He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." Also, believers are

FULLY SAVED (Heb 10:12)
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;"

The one sacrifice for sin by the Lord Jesus Christ never needs repeating. He removed sin for all believers when He went to the cross in their place. It took Christ’s death and resurrection to being forth life. Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? "It is not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5). Note, He sat down at the right hand of God. Jesus has finished the cross work of salvation. As our Great High Priest He now sits in the place of authority waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. Why then do some say, we have to keep the law or do the best we can or try our best to be saved? It can only be because they have not understood this great truth. There is nothing wrong with doing our best to please God or trying to keep the law, but salvation rests on the finished work of Jesus. Our responsibility is to receive what He has done. "He that hath the Son hath life" (1 John 5:12). Then finally believers are

FULLY SECURE (Heb 10:14)
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Not only are we fully sanctified and fully saved, but we are fully secure in Christ. No power on earth or in Heaven can separate us from Him. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38,39). The work is perfected or fully accomplished once and for all time. "But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57).

A young ex-serviceman went into a New York bank to get a loan for the amount of $600. He stood in line until his turn came to present his completed application forms to the clerk. The bank employee took considerable time in finishing the transaction, leaving his desk repeatedly to talk to his superior. Finally the man received the cash. When he turned to leave, flashbulbs went off as newspaper photographers took his picture. Bank officials crowded around to inform him that they were returning the papers he had just signed, and that he didn't have to repay the money. The reason: the amount he had borrowed included the one billionth dollar that had been loaned out since the opening of that lending institution. To highlight the event, the veteran's debt was not entered on the books. Never would it be held against him. Jesus has taken upon Himself our debt. We are no longer under the penalty of sin. Never again can it be held against us. During this month in which we set aside a day of thanksgiving, what greater reason can we find for giving thanks? In Christ we have all we need for time and eternity. "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Cor 9:15). God bless.