Ours is a faith of holy tensions. Many of our foundations and principles for navigating life as Christians are not just either/or, but rather both/and. For example, God is sovereign and we have free will. Jesus will build His church but we are to go and make disciples. We are to honor the king even though our citizenship in heaven. All things are permissible, yet all things are not beneficial. And the list goes on. You get the idea.

Came across another this morning in my reading in Hebrews. A reminder that while “It is finished,” it too is still going on. Though our salvation is a done deal, our Savior is not yet done dealing with us.

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet. For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

(Hebrews 10:12-14 ESV)

He has made complete those who are being consecrated. He has made perfect those who are being purified. He has forever brought to fulfillment those who are still being formed. That’s the holy tension we live in.

Every morning we can awake with full assurance of our salvation. Knowing that the work really is finished. That God really can love us no more than He already has through the demonstration of the cross. That our adoption is not pending while we prove ourselves in some foster care scenario, but that we have already been given the seal of the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). And thus, we know that we are fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). So much so, He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters (Heb. 2:11). In Him we really are complete (Col. 2:10 NKJV).

For by a single offering He has perfected us.

And yet, we awake so many mornings aware of our imperfection. Conscious of our need for confession. Weary of our weakness. Feeling like failures. Flooded with the intimate knowledge that while He may have perfected us, we are far from perfect. Sinners saved by grace, but still being saved from sin.

Having been set apart we are now being sanctified. Though the work is finished, Christ, through His Spirit, is finishing the work He has begun in us. That while we already possess His fullness, His desire is that we would also bear His likeness.

The weakness, the failure, the struggles, all contributing to form a crucible which brings the dross to the surface so that it might be removed. That what He declare as precious might, in actuality, increasingly be purified. And this, all through the dynamic of a Savior who, though being seated at the right hand of God, having completed the work through His once for all sacrifice for sin, yet is active on our behalf as He makes intercession for His saints so that He might save them to the uttermost (Heb.7:25).

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Search me and try me, Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray.
Power, all power, surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

~ Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862-1934)

Done deal but not done dealing.

Because of grace. For His glory.