“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’” First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
Hebrews 10:1-10 NLT
There is, perhaps, no greater element of our salvation than its infinite power. Simultaneously, it preserves the future while contextual using the past. It states over and over that the each moment is, was and will be part of a greater narrative that is fulfilling, uplifting and positive in the end. Because it is attained by faith, and not works, it adds to our person rather than steals from it. Because it is a free gift to us, it brings joy to receive. Because it came from love, it is engenders deep relationships. All this is true. But because it is pervasive to the whole of human existence, it creates stability, agency and courage in every further moment. Without removing the stakes of our relationship, or diminish our ability to make a meaningful impact on the world around us. The fact that Christ died once and it is finished, means that we need not fear ourselves, others or him. This is a powerful truth against a culture that operates solely in insecurity and fear. It is an often unknown piece of the gospel message. Too many run and hide from it because it feels to hood to be true, or because they are afraid to let go of the little control that they have. But when we give God his due, there is a better and deeper peace than could ever be known otherwise.
JOSH McGARY.COM 