"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."
Biblegateway.com Hebrews 9:27-28
Biblegateway.com Hebrews chapter 9
This is an important verse. For a long time I have understood it as primarily focusing on the fact that men live and die once... And that after this living-and-dying-once it is too late to change one's spiritual state or future.
As I reflect on this passage today... it does teach what I always thought, but there's two additional points to be made by what follows.
1. Christ's atoning death is a once and done event. It was and is a wholly sufficient payment for all the sins of His people (those who hope in and receive God's grace).
2. His people are then described as "those who eagerly wait for Him."
I guess this is the part that intrigued me... Do we eagerly wait for Him? What does, or what should, that look like? As Chapter 9 concludes and Chapter 10begins, it is clear that we should trust in Christ's perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
Verses 19-25 are worth a careful reading. Look for the words: "faith," "hope," and "love."
Then notice his final exhortation. "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some..." Wonder why? Short answer: God says so and we can trust He knows what we need.
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