Pursuing a Holy Paradox!

Hebrews 10:14  For by a single offering he has perfected [completed] for all time those who are being sanctified [made holy]. ISV [with PBK’s additions]

After reading the book of Hebrews, the verse above stands out because of the holy paradox it presents to those who believe in and seek to follow the Lord Jesus, our Messiah. This speaks to our identity in Christ and our standing with God. It is accurate to say this:

Because of Jesus’ bloody sacrifice I am perfected, completed in Him for all time and I am certain that His Holy Spirit and His Living Word are always working to transform my manner and mode of thinking and acting to conform to the Mind of Christ. I am in a journey of sanctification, the goal of which is to conform me fully to the likeness and image of Jesus. Therefore, I gladly say, “Lord, Your will be done today in my life. Your Kingdom come, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.”

I can hear someone asking, “Aren’t your thinking more highly of yourself than you ought?”

My response is, “No, I cannot think more highly of myself than I ought as long as I am thinking about that the Word says.” I once heard a wise teacher say, “True humility comes when you agree with what God says about you.”

This brings me to consider how Jesus by His Holy Spirit and Word is working to transform me and complete the promise of sanctification. Going back to Matthew 1:21 we find that “Jesus will sozo us from our sins.”

The meaning of the Greek word sozo (Strong's NT 4982) cannot be expressed in one English word. Sozo is the complete salvation package Jesus secured for those who trust Him. Sozo means to rescue or save from, to heal, to deliver and to make whole. When we believe in our hearts and confess with out mouths that Jesus is Lord, the promised Messiah, we shall be sozo’d. Instantly, we are born again by the Holy Spirit giving us a never-before-seen creation – a new spirit in us that is one spirit with the Lord. We are translated from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. In a moment, we are justified, completed, perfected before God and given the authority to become sons and daughters.

We then begin a journey of sanctification, ever increasing transformation of our nous, ever increasing holiness, being conformed to the likeness and image of Christ. This journey is one of transformation of the nous, another Greek word that cannot be translated into one English word. The nous (Strongs NT 3563) is defined as “the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning: - mind, understanding,”[1] Strongs further notes that nous is rooted in the Greek word gnosko, which speaks of the experiential knowledge gained in this life through interaction with other people, the environment, or things, objects, etc. This “gnosko” knowledge is based on our physical senses and our own ability to make sense of what we are experiencing. Without any gnosko-knowledge of God, we cannot develop knowledge based in Truth. What we gnosko-know, the way we get to know, perceive, think about, experience, and build knowledge about God,  others, the environment and everything we have or encounter in life –in short, our ‘manner and mode’ of thinking and acting must be transformed to think and act with the Mind of Christ.

Transformation of the nous is only possible with/by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

You might be asking, “How do I get started and continue in this journey? How do I “be being” transformed, as it’s translated accurately in the CJB (and other) translations?

Romans 12:2  In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the `olam hazeh (world). Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will (gnosko-) know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed. 

Ask the Holy Spirit. Get to know Him and intentionally set your mind to follow Him in what He says. Instead of being religious about it, become relational in knowing Him. He is always with you. He never leaves you. He is your Helper, Comforter, Coach, Trainer, Teacher and Guide. He always points you to Jesus’ example and teaching. Trust in Him with all your heart and lean not to your own “manner and mode” of thinking, but in all your ways, acknowledge Him. He will direct you in the way you should go.

May the New Year be filled with many holy moments of encounter with God and ever-growing knowledge of His presence and how it is He who establishes you in Christ.

Pastor Bill Kline

Jesus Freedom Journey Ministries Senior Leader

December 31, 2025

[1] Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, published 1890, public domain.