July 12

Heb 9:26 ESV
for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

What sin put away sin except that it is completely been dealt with in every aspect! First it isn't on our "account" anymore. It is paid for and the punishment that is due us for our sin has been done. So there is no need for us to expect punishment from God. Secondly, our guilt has been removed! We have had our guilty conscious cleansed, so there is no need to feel guilty anymore, carrying around a depressive guilt for not measuring up. You will never measure up! That is the point of our cleansing - Jesus measured up for us. Thirdly, we aren't under its spell anymore! We need to stop acting like we can't "beat" it (whatever you struggle with). Sins mastery over us is gone! Through Christ it is possible to be victorious in all things! One could say that for us who are "in Christ" there is no more sin. We have complete dominion over it even though we drag around our carnal nature around with us. Christ's finished work has changed everything. Let's walk in that!