Insanity or Insanely Perfect

All of us players rolled our eyes and sighed. After a pulverizing loss the previous week (and frankly, every week before), we tried to muster excitement for practice. Yet to our dismay, we learned that the practice plan was exactly the same. That’s the definition of insanity, isn’t it? Doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.

We get a glimpse into this exact principle under the Old Covenant–priests sacrificed animals to atone for peoples’ sins so that they could be in right standing with God. Here’s the problem: It wasn’t perfect. The author of Hebrews argues this point: “The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared” (Hebrews 10:1-2, emphasis added).

Sounds similar to the definition of insanity, doesn’t it? The same animal sacrifices were continuously repeated, however sin and guilt remained rampant. Something needed to change.

Enter Jesus. This new High Priest offered a “once-for-all” sacrifice by laying down his own body to eradicate sin. “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14, emphasis added). Now, true forgiveness and right standing with God are possible.

Are you living in this perfect freedom or are you burdened by insanity? If you’ve received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then:

• You are part of the marvelous paradox of being forever perfect in God’s eyes and still being made holy right now (Hebrews 10:14).
• You have been forgiven, and sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary (Hebrews 10:18).
• You have access to God and can draw near to Him, allowing Christ’s blood to wash your guilty conscience (Hebrews 10:19,22).

Change was needed, and Jesus offered His life. Everything changed. If you need change, Jesus gives life. And everything can change.