From Hebrews: Christ, Our High Priest and Heir
Orientation
The burden of dealing with our own sin is a false assumption that undermines assurance and rest.
- Human striving is powerless to purge sin.
- Our standing with God is not based on our performance or ongoing effort.
- Assurance evaporates when we imagine our standing is uncertain or conditional.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
— John 19:30
Clarification
Christ's work as High Priest is a past-tense, finished act, not an ongoing process we contribute to.
- To suggest our efforts contribute to purging sin denies the sufficiency of Christ's work.
- His seated posture signifies completion, not ongoing labor.
- This purging is the definitive ground for our assurance and inheritance.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)
— Hebrews 1:3
Structure
God's authoritative speaking appoints Christ as Heir, making believers co-heirs who reign in life through His perfect obedience.
- God appointed Christ, the eternal Word and Creator, as Heir of all things.
- Believers are made co-heirs with Christ, sharing His inheritance.
- Christ's perfect human righteousness qualifies Him for resurrection, enabling believers to reign in life.
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)
— Romans 5:17
Weight-Bearing Prose
The core assertion is that Christ’s high priestly work is a definitive, past-tense accomplishment. He purged sins by Himself. This is the foundation of Pauline categories: justification is secure because the sin question is settled. Inheritance is not a conditional wage but a settled gift because we are co-heirs with the appointed Heir. Christ’s perfect human righteousness—His incarnation and sinless life—qualified Him for resurrection. This is the means by which believers reign in life; it is the effect of His obedience, grace, and righteousness, not our incremental progress. Any system that places the burden of purging sin or securing standing back on the believer collapses justification, forfeits the inheritance-as-gift, and reduces sonship to probation. The objection that sin must be continually addressed by the believer is answered by the finality of Christ’s seated position. His work glorified and uplifted humanity, restoring it to share in the status He possesses in His divinity.
Integration
Your sins have been purged. God Himself has declared it so in His authoritative Word. This is not a hope to strive toward but a finished reality to rest in. Assurance is anchored in Christ’s completed work, not your fluctuating performance. You reign in life because He reigns, and you are joined to Him. There is no pressure to advance or add to what He has finished. Christ is your righteousness, your inheritance, and your life. The conscience is cleansed, the inheritance is secure, and your place is established beside Him. Rest here. This is the gospel that saves and stabilizes.