"For the law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Hebrews 10:1-4
The law. Many try to desperately cling to the law for their salvation. However, as we see here in Hebrews the law is only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things. A shadow. The law was not meant to be the means for taking away our sins. That purpose was set for Jesus Christ, and Him alone. The law is a means to recognize our sin, but what the verse here in Hebrews is saying is that keeping the law, or continually making sacrifices to God, will not cleanse us from our sins. We cannot be made perfect by keeping the law. We are only made perfect through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament days there is a covering of sins because those who were making the sacrifices in good faith were accepted by a merciful God, but they were not a permanent cleansing of sins which we only have through Jesus Christ.
Trying to keep the law will look different for everyone. We don't perform animal sacrifices anymore, but we may find ourselves trying to keep the law by performing good works such as attending church, serving the church and others, giving financially, making meals, etc. These things are not wrong, but they should only be done out of our love for Jesus. Done by and for Him. "It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" Philippians 2:13.
So, what's the difference between me working for forgiveness of my sins and Jesus Christ being the sacrifice for my sins? Sin is the difference. I am a sinner and will continue to sin. I cannot cleanse myself because I am not sinless. That is why in the Old Testament they had to offer sacrifices year after year. They were never completely cleansed. Jesus Christ was sinless ( Heb. 4:15, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Pet. 2:22) and therefore He was able to give us permanent forgiveness and cleansing of sin.
These verses are speaking of the Day of Atonement which was a day set aside for mourning, fasting, and sacrifices for sins. However, these sacrifices were performed year after year. It was a continual plea for forgiveness from God and cleansing from sin. It was not permanent. The sins that were committed were remembered and yet Christ says, "I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12) Furthermore, the priest would have to make sacrifices for his own sins and then make sacrifices for the sins of the people. See a difference? He had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins before he could do so for the sins of the people. Jesus had to make one sacrifice, Himself, because He was sinless.
The last verse says, "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins". God didn't want to leave us in limbo. His plan all along was for a redeemer to take away sins once and for all (see Genesis 3:15). So, what is impossible with man is not impossible with God!
I marvel at this truth because it causes me to worship God more fully. When we understand the fullness of what Christ has done for us, something we could never do, we can worship Him and seek to bring Him glory. What a wonderful God we serve!
What have you done either in the past or present to try and "work" for forgiveness? As you read about the fullness of Christ's sacrifice what makes you fall down and worship?
*Originally posted on
A Look at the Book
