Daily Devotional For Sunday, September 14, 2025
Good morning and please go to a church this morning and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords with other disciples of Jesus Christ. Part of being a disciple of Jesus, is a description the New Testament gives to describe our character – holy. Look at Hebrews 10:10, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time” (NLT). We have looked at both the Hebrew word for holy [קדשׁ, qedesh] and the Greek New Testament word for holy – [ἅγιος, hagios]. Both words means “to be set apart.”
Depending on your translation, Hebrews 10:10 begins, “by that will” (ESV), “by this will” (NASB), or “by God’s will,” most scholars believe that since the writer of Hebrews in chapter 10 has talked about all the animal sacrifices from the Old Testament, he was quoting Psalm 40:8, I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart” (NIV). In the Old Testament, one of the ways God’s will was accomplished was through animal sacrifices. And to the writer of Hebrews, Jesus Christ was the final and last sacrifice for sin.
We can be quite fickle and uncommitted. We will get up and go to work or school consistently, but when it comes to going to church or being consistent in our walk with Christ, we sometimes are not so consistent. New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:
“Christ’s sacrifice of obedience saved us (10:10). When you wonder if you’ve got the energy for another day … where the time will come from to get it all done … where the money will come from to get it all paid for … where your relationships are heading and where your future is pointing … think about how Christ obeyed. He said, “Here I am. I have come to do what you want” (Hebrews 10:9). When you wonder why you’re such a weak Christian, so easily tempted, so confused by a friend’s betrayal, so hurt by a child’s remark … think about how Christ obeyed. He said, “Not what I want but what you want” (Matthew 26:39 NRSV). When you wonder who’s in charge of your spiritual journey … think about how Christ obeyed” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary, “Hebrews,” p. 154).
The writer reminds us that we have been made holy. How? How has declared us holy and thus we are to live as holy. Meaning, we have been “set apart” to be different from the world and our culture. We are to be like Jesus. Jesus was merciful; we should be. Jesus was forgiving; we should be. Jesus was loving, we should be. Jesus was understanding; we should be. Jesus cared about the poor, the orphan, and the lost; we should also. God expects us to emulate and imitate Him so that the world does not see us, but Him through us.
As a disciple of Jesus, you and I become holy when we obey God. Holiness comes from a deep desire to obey the Lord and to love Him wholeheartedly with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. What helps us get there? – God’s Word. You and I cannot become holy on our own. Only God can make us holy as we obey Him. We become holy as we follow and obey God’s high moral standards – that is what we are set apart for in this life.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us was once and for all. There is nothing more that can be done. Salvation on the cross was a completed event. That is why Jesus shouted “Tetelestai” – it is finished. What was impossible for us to accomplish, Jesus did. We are sinful, unrighteous, fallen frail individuals. But Jesus, the perfect, sinless God in human flesh-man, acquired and accomplished the last and final cleansing of sin to those who are willing to receive it. Thus Jesus fulfilled all and the final requirements from the Old Testament Law about sin, forgiveness of it and sacrifices. Therefore, when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, His holiness is imputed to us through our obedience to the Father just as His was.
Assignment: You may not think you are holy based on your attitudes, attributes and actions. If our holiness is not visible to others, that’s on us – not God. Take a moment to reflect on that fact that God has set you apart – how and in what ways is that for you personally? If you obedience is fickle, where could you start today being more obedient to Jesus Christ?
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness and holiness; for by His wounds you were healed” (PAR).
Prayer To Pray: “Thank You Lord for loving me so much that you took my place on the cross and in exchange, offer me a life of holiness. You could have left me to die in my sins and go to hell. Thank You for such love. I do not deserve it. Please forgive me when I have been fickle in my holiness. Help me to live for You in such a way that when people see me, they see You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly