The article "Perfection Accomplished" by Don Fortner addresses the theological doctrine of the perfection of believers through the sacrificial blood of Christ, as articulated in Hebrews 10:14. Fortner argues that just as the Old Testament vessels and priests were made officially perfect through blood atonement, so believers are permanently perfected in the sight of God through Christ's singular offering. He underscores that this perfection is not a reflection of inherent moral integrity but rather an official status granted by God, allowing believers to approach Him with confidence as accepted in Christ. Supported by Scripture references such as Hebrews 9:6-7 and Psalm 138:7-8, the article emphasizes the significance of understanding one's standing before God as rooted in the blood of Christ, resulting in both assurance of acceptance and hope for future glorification.
Key Quotes
“The Holy Spirit here declares that all who are God's are a people perfected, a people whose perfection is a done deal.”
“To be made perfect by Christ is to stand before God Almighty himself accepted in the Beloved, accepted by blood.”
“This is our standing and our position in Christ. We enjoy it now by faith in him.”
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. - Hebrews 10:14Perfection Accomplished
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14
The Holy Spirit here declares that all who are God’s are a people perfected, a people whose perfection is a done deal. What does that mean?
When the golden vessels were brought into the temple or into the sanctuary, they were sanctified the very first moment that they were dedicated to God. No one dared to employ them for anything but holy uses. But they were not perfect. What did they need then, to make them perfect? They needed to have blood sprinkled on them; and, as soon as the blood was sprinkled on them, those golden vessels were perfect vessels, officially perfect. God accepted them as being holy and perfect things, and they stood in his sight as instruments of an acceptable worship.
The same was true regarding the Levites and the priests. As soon as they were set apart to their office, as soon as they were born, in fact, they were consecrated to God. They belonged to God. They were his peculiar priesthood. But they were not perfect until they had passed through divers washings, and had the blood sprinkled upon them. Then God looked upon them in their official priestly character as being perfect before him.
They were not perfect in character. They were only perfect officially; perfect in the sight of God; and they stood before him to offer sacrifice as acceptably as if they had been pure as Adam in Eden.
How does this refer to us, and what is the meaning of this text, that “by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified?” The answer is found in Hebrews 9:6-7. -- “Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.”
The only way the high priest himself could come before God and be accepted was by blood atonement. In the context here, the Holy Spirit is telling us that we are made perfect (“It shall be perfect to be accepted!”), by the blood of Christ, made perfect before God himself, so perfect that we may freely and boldly come to God by the blood of Christ with full assurance that we are accepted (Heb. 10:22).
To be made perfect by Christ is to stand before God Almighty himself accepted in the Beloved, accepted by blood! -- The blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world! -- The blood of the Lamb crucified at Calvary! -- The blood of the Lamb sprinkled upon our hearts in saving grace. This is our standing and our position in Christ. We enjoy it now by faith in him. But, blessed be God, soon, this shall be our experience. – “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” (Ps. 138:7-8).
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