How does Hebrews 9:28 encourage living a life free from sin's power? The Verse Itself “so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” — Hebrews 9:28 What the Once-for-All Sacrifice Means for Daily Freedom • “Christ was offered once.” – Sin’s penalty has been fully paid (Isaiah 53:6; John 19:30). – No repeated sacrifices are needed (Hebrews 10:10), so no lingering guilt needs to dominate our hearts. • “He bore the sins of many.” – Our record is cleared (Colossians 2:13-14). – Because the debt is gone, shame’s hold is broken; we can approach God boldly (Hebrews 4:16). • Freedom implication: when condemnation whispers, we answer with the cross—sin no longer has legal authority (Romans 8:1-2). Looking Forward to His Return Shapes How We Live Today • “He will appear a second time…to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” – The same Lord who removed sin’s penalty will soon remove sin’s presence (Revelation 21:27). – Eager expectation stirs purity: “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). • Living in anticipation: – Sets our minds on eternal priorities (Colossians 3:1-4). – Fuels watchfulness and holiness (2 Peter 3:11-14). – Motivates us to “deny ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:11-13). Practical Ways to Walk in Freedom • Reckon the old self dead (Romans 6:11). • Present your members to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). • Fill thought-life with truth; renew mind daily (Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8). • Stay connected to fellow believers who “encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). • Keep the Lord’s Supper central; it rehearses Christ’s death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26), reinforcing both past forgiveness and future hope. Supporting Scriptures That Echo the Same Hope • Romans 6:14 — “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” • Galatians 5:1 — “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” • 1 Peter 1:13-16 — “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…be holy in all you do.” • Jude 24-25 — He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before His glorious presence.” Because Christ’s sacrifice is complete and His return is certain, Hebrews 9:28 invites us to live today unshackled from sin’s power, eager for the moment we see Him face to face. |
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