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November 24 After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast not desired, nor hast Thou taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Thy will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:8-10. As we seek to follow the Lord we often think that we must present our old nature in Adam for sacrifice. “If only we could change ourselves so we could understand His ways”, we say. When we do this we are invariably following the Law, for it always demands a sacrifice. Yet, when we read the Scriptures carefully we realize that the old nature in Adam has already been crucified. (Romans 6:6). We cannot do again what God has already done. Often I find myself forgetting what God has already purchased for me. All the characteristics of Christ are mine for the taking. There is no acceptable sacrifice other that the presenting of our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, not as a dead sacrifice. For the Law is already fulfilled in us by Jesus. We are set free from dead works. My new nature, in Christ, wants only to fulfill the desires of God. I do not need to sacrifice and re-sacrifice the old nature. As this scripture from Hebrews explains, I have been sanctified once for all. I cannot improve upon this fact by rededicating, by newly resolving, or by trying to perfect the flesh. Instead I am to proceed in faith upon the finished work of Christ. Father, You have accomplished all things in Jesus. I am in awe over You and Your Son—that You could provide all that we need to become like You. Thank You and Amen. |
