If Hebrews 10:14 says believers are perfected forever by one sacrifice, why do Christians still sin and need ongoing forgiveness? Understanding Hebrews 10:14 “By a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). This declaration can prompt questions: If believers are perfected forever, why do they still wrestle with sin—and why is there a need for ongoing forgiveness? Hebrews 10:14 highlights two realities: the unshakable position of believers in the sight of God, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth. The verse can be examined in light of the broader scriptural message, historical Christian understanding, and comparative biblical manuscripts that consistently teach both the finality of Christ’s atonement and the ongoing need for repentance. Position vs. Practice Many scriptural passages speak of what scholars have called “positional salvation” and “progressive sanctification.” In positional salvation, a person who trusts in the sacrifice of Christ stands justified before God without condemnation (Romans 8:1). This is a legal or positional standing, akin to being declared righteous in the heavenly courtroom through faith in the Messiah’s finished work. However, throughout the New Testament, believers are also called to yield to a practical transformation in day-to-day life (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22–24). The tension emerges from the fact that while the believer’s position is secure—perfected through Christ—practical behavior still needs to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29). What “Perfected” Means Scripture uses the term “perfected” in Hebrews 10:14 to refer to the sufficiency of Christ’s single sacrifice. This relates to the Old Testament sacrificial system, in which repeated offerings were made for sins (Hebrews 10:11). By contrast, Christ’s sacrifice is once for all and never needs repetition (Hebrews 7:27). This perfecting indicates complete forgiveness and acceptance in God’s presence. Yet, to say “perfected” is not to say the believer is now incapable of sinning. Instead, it speaks to a spiritual status: Christ has paid for the sin so fully that no further sacrifice or offering is required for the believer to possess eternal life. Why Believers Still Sin From the earliest biblical records, humanity bears internal struggles even after turning to God. In the Book of Genesis, righteous individuals like Noah (Genesis 9:20–21) still stumbled. In the Apostle Paul’s writings, believers encounter battles between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Paul famously lamented, “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (Romans 7:15). This sequence testifies that while standing before God is secured through faith, the fallen human nature remains a reality in daily experience. The presence of sin points directly to the ongoing need for confession and reliance on God’s grace. As 1 John 1:8–9 reads: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The act of confession and repentance does not re-justify believers before God; rather, it maintains the healthy fellowship with Him that sin disrupts. The Role of Sanctification Hebrews uses the phrase “those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). “Sanctification” is an ongoing process wherein the Holy Spirit shapes believers to be more Christlike in thoughts, desires, and conduct. It begins at conversion (1 Corinthians 6:11) but continues throughout one’s life (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sanctification does not negate the finality of the cross; rather, it applies this once-for-all reality into the daily experience of believers. Biblical Manuscript Consistency The teachings about sin, forgiveness, and the finality of Christ’s sacrifice are phenomenally consistent in ancient biblical manuscripts. Discoveries such as P46 (a collection of Pauline epistles dating roughly to the late second or early third century), and the Dead Sea Scrolls (for Old Testament continuity), exhibit remarkable textual stability. This stability supports confidence that the doctrine found in Hebrews 10:14 has been transmitted accurately. Archaeological findings—such as early papyrus fragments—reinforce historical belief that the Epistle to the Hebrews, while addressing a community wrestling with drifting back into older sacrificial systems, consistently teaches Christ’s sacrifice as sufficient. Why Ongoing Forgiveness? Even though believers are declared righteous through Christ’s atonement, Scripture shows that ongoing forgiveness is designed to maintain a pure relationship with God. Municipal laws around daily cleanliness in the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 11–15) foreshadowed a principle of daily moral vigilance. Jesus mirrored this in teaching His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This daily application of forgiveness is not re-crucifying Christ; rather, it nurtures spiritual growth and renewal, reflecting the need to depend on grace every moment. The Nature of the New Covenant Hebrews 8 and 10 articulate the difference between the Old Covenant, with its repeated sacrifices, and the New Covenant, which is sealed by the blood of Christ. Under the New Covenant, believers have direct access to God (Hebrews 10:19). Though believers are “perfected” in a definitive sense, they still live in a fallen world, awaiting the full physical and moral redemption promised in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51–53). Christians continually apply the truth of the cross to daily sin, thus affirming that ultimate salvation depends on Christ’s singular work while day-to-day sanctification leads them ever closer to reflecting God’s holiness. Practical Implications for Believers • Spiritual Growth: The reality of sin among believers compels them to seek growth in Christlikeness. It also promotes humility, since no one can claim to have achieved moral flawlessness. • Dependence on Grace: Regular repentance fosters an ongoing reliance on grace. Far from being a sign of weakness, this reliance is central to the Christian experience and maturity. • Community and Accountability: The persistent need for forgiveness and practical sanctification underscores the role of the Christian community (Galatians 6:1–2). Accountability, mutual encouragement, and prayer help believers walk in holiness. • Perseverance: Knowing that the life of faith involves struggles with sin reminds believers of the need to persevere. The certainty of Christ’s finished work empowers perseverance rather than despair. Conclusion Hebrews 10:14 declares, “By a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified”. This perfection is the once-for-all justification of believers through Christ’s sacrifice, forever removing the need for further offerings. Nevertheless, Christians still sin because they inhabit fallen bodies and a fallen world, experiencing a progressive sanctification as the Holy Spirit transforms them daily. They continue to need ongoing forgiveness to maintain vibrant fellowship with God and cultivate spiritual maturity. This dynamic holds together consistently across the entire biblical witness, confirmed by textual evidence and centuries of faithful proclamation. It also aligns with the experience of believers throughout history: the cross is sufficient, yet the Christian life unfolds as a journey of reliance on divine grace until the final victory is fully realized. |
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