Made Holy Through the Cross

Scripture: Hebrews 10:14 – “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Devotional Thought -Day 7

When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He declared not only the completion of His work of atonement but also the beginning of our journey into holiness. The writer of Hebrews makes this staggering statement: that by one sacrifice, Christ has both perfected and is sanctifying His people. At first glance, it almost seems like a contradiction. How can we be both perfected and still being sanctified? But that is the beauty of God’s saving work—through the cross, we are given a perfect standing before God, even as we are still in the process of becoming more like Christ in daily life.

This truth anchors us. The “perfection” spoken of here is not moral flawlessness in the present but a complete and permanent right standing before God. Because of the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, we have been made positionally holy—declared righteous, fully forgiven, and accepted. Nothing more can be added to Christ’s work. We do not maintain our place in God’s family through our own efforts; we rest in the finished work of Christ, who sat down at the right hand of the Father because His priestly work was complete.

Yet this same sacrifice also initiates a lifelong process of growth. The phrase “those who are being sanctified” reminds us that salvation is not only a past event but a present reality. God is actively working in us by His Spirit, shaping our character, purifying our hearts, and setting us apart for His purposes. Sanctification is not optional for the Christian—it is the inevitable outworking of a life united to Jesus. While we are not yet sinless, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are being transformed, day by day, to reflect the holiness of the One who redeemed us.

What this means for us today is deeply encouraging. On the days when we feel weak, weary, or discouraged by our failures, we are reminded that our holiness is rooted not in our performance but in Christ’s perfection. At the same time, we are called to walk in obedience—not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it. We pursue holiness not out of fear, but out of gratitude and love. God does not keep us in line by threats, but by grace that trains us to say no to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright lives (Titus 2:11–12).

The cross of Christ is not only the place where our guilt was dealt with—it is the place where our identity was established. You are set apart. You are being made new. You are both declared holy and being made holy. And one day, when Jesus returns, your sanctification will be complete, and you will stand in His presence fully perfected.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the finished work of Christ that has secured my holiness before You. Though I am far from perfect in practice, I trust in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that has made me righteous in Your sight. Continue Your sanctifying work in me—purify my heart, renew my mind, and shape my life to reflect Your glory. Help me walk in holiness, not to earn Your love, but because I already have it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.