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Once for all

November 12, 2007
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because He did
once for all
when He offered up Himself.
Hebrews 7:26-27

I had already been talking to one of the kids about confession this week, since 1John 1:9 was in a Bible study lesson of theirs. It dawned on me then and stayed with me all week that it isn’t that confession brings about forgiveness – that was given once for all at the cross – but it brings about transformation and holiness.

So I decided to put it into practice myself as much as I could – just acknowledging my sin to the Lord. Things like anger, irritability, pridefulness, selfishness, worry, fear, lack of contentment, judgement, etc. Good and bad things happened as a result. I spent more time thinking of the Lord, praying, praising, worshipping, just relating with Him, being in awe of Him, and even seeing small changes in attitude,response – this was good. At times, though, I fell back into my ever present struggle with perfectionism. I can change. I won’t let Him down again. I will never be short with the kids again. I will never again become angry when they exhibit the same negative behavior for the 1000th time. I will always be gentle. I will stay on top of all house chores. I will pray and read my Bible daily. I will….I will…..I will…..

So, today’s sermon was very meaningful to me after this week’s struggle. It was all about the 1st covenant established in the Law through Moses which began what became hundreds of years of animal sacrifice to atone for sin. Hundreds of years because it never did the job – it was always temporary, and had to be done again the next week, or the next year, or at the next assigned time.

Not so with the 2nd covenant.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
For this is the covenant that I will make….I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them upon their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people….for I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete.
Hebrews 8:7-13

In the sermon, Robert called the first covenant the Amherst College Covenant – the “I must make a 4.0 or die” covenant. ( This would be where I fall.) He called the 2nd the Hampshire College Covenant – the “We don’t get grades here” covenant.

Jesus gives the 4.0 for FREE – His righteousness, His perfection – for FREE. We only have to receive it. If we try and earn it, we are disqualified. If we say we don’t need it, we are also disqualified.

We took communion, and I was in tears. More and more I realize my need for the free gift. There was a time when I didn’t think I needed it as much as the next person, but no more. And I am so grateful for this awareness….. “he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

For you do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17

Oh, that I would live in the freedom of the gift, confessing daily my need for it, and not dishonor the Giver with sacrificial and prideful efforts to earn it.

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