Year of the Bible: Part Eleven of TwelveSample

Perfect for All Time

The writer of Hebrews reiterates that the law could never make anyone perfect, even though people continually offered sacrifices and good works. He also mentions that the law cannot keep us from having a consciousness of sin.

One of Satan's most effective tricks is convincing Christians that our sins aren't really forgiven, despite the promise of God's Word. If we've truly received Jesus as Savior by faith and still have that uneasy feeling that we aren't truly forgiven, that may be coming from the enemy or our self-consciousness.

When Adam and Eve sinned, their consciousness of good and evil was awakened, and they became aware of their nakedness and shame. Comparison and self-awareness came in an unhealthy way. Therefore, Adam and Eve hid from God and blamed each other. Sound familiar? However, God didn't stay away because of their sin. He came looking for them and made covers for their nakedness.

David, a man after God's own heart, understood this reality even under the old covenant: "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:1–12).

Putting ourselves under the law and working to gain God's acceptance was never the plan. God had always planned to redeem us from our sins and self-conscious ways, restoring the relationship that, in our eyes, had been lost by showing us His love through Jesus and forever making us perfect in Him.

Do you struggle with accepting God's forgiveness? Are you overly conscious of sin? Do you see yourself as perfect by the sacrifice of Jesus?

Question: What is a practical way to renew your mind and align yourself with what Jesus did for you?

Prayer: Spend time remembering why Jesus's obedient self-offering is perfection for all time. Thank God for His work and ask Him to help you be God-conscious instead of sin- or self-conscious.