At the point of claiming forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrifice once for us all, and absorbing the full impact of “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more,” I suggest that at this moment we are in perfect unity with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb 10:14).
So once we understand the perfection given to us by Jesus, do we conclude that we are perfect in every way throughout our lives on earth? How should we proceed?
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb 10:19-25).
- Let us draw near with clean hearts and clean bodies;
- Let us hold fast our hope without wavering; and
- Let us consider how to stir each other up to unconditional love and good works, encouraging more and more as the Day of Jesus’ return draws near.
If this is the case, isn’t the battle over? In the end, yes. But the Cycle of Perfect Unity has ten stages we live through over and over, both beginning and ending with perfect unity with Jesus.
Why, then, is the author of Hebrews very concerned about our falling away into sin?
Hurry back next time for a warning and encouragement as we live through the Cycle so many times in our lives: Commands, Temptation, Disobedience, Warnings, Judgment, Repentance, Reconciliation, Restoration, and a return to Perfect Unity with Jesus!