“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10 ESV).
The writer of Hebrews contrasts the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant priests with the once-for-all offering of Christ. The animal sacrifices could never truly take away sin; they were only shadows pointing to the greater reality to come (Heb. 10:1–4). But Christ, in perfect obedience to the Father’s will, offered His own body as the true and final sacrifice for sin. Through that one offering, believers “have been sanctified”—set apart and made holy before God. The phrase “once for all” (means once for all time—Christ’s sacrifice never needs to be repeated—and for all believers who trust in Him, across every generation. His death is sufficient for all people but effective only for those who believe. This is positional sanctification, a finished work accomplished entirely by Christ’s sacrifice. Yet later, the same writer says that believers “are being sanctified” (v. 14), pointing to progressive sanctification—the ongoing work of the Spirit making us more like Christ day by day.
Because of Christ’s once-for-all offering, we can rest in the assurance that our standing before God is secure. We are not made holy through repeated rituals, moral striving, or renewed sacrifices, but through the finished work of Jesus. His blood has cleansed our consciences from dead works (Heb. 9:14) so that we may draw near to God with confidence (10:19–22). Yet the same grace that secures our position empowers our growth. The one who has been sanctified is also one who is being sanctified. We live from what Christ has already done, not for what we hope to earn. In a world full of striving and uncertainty, we can rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s work while pressing on to maturity in Him.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the perfect and sufficient sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We rest in the assurance that by His one offering, we have been sanctified once for all. Yet, as You continue Your work in us by Your Spirit, make us more like Jesus each day. Help us to live out the holiness You have already given us, standing firm in grace and growing in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.