For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy…Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise (Hebrews 10:14, 23 NLT).

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that when things aren’t going the way I expect, my instinct is to work harder. At work, with friends, and even at home, I often try to fix problems through more effort, better plans, or tighter control. I am an engineer, so I guess it is to be expected. While diligence is important, the verses above remind me that what I truly need isn’t more striving—it’s confidence in the finished work of Christ and the freedom to rest in Him.  

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One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is the belief that if we just try harder, do more, or perform better, we can somehow secure what only Jesus can provide. Many of us would never say that out loud, but we often live that way. We carry the weight of proving ourselves, earning approval, overcoming every weakness through sheer determination, or maintaining our relationship with God through our own efforts.

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Hebrews 10 confronts that mindset head-on. The chapter begins by explaining the limitations of the old sacrificial system. Year after year, sacrifices had to be offered because they could never fully remove sin. They were reminders of humanity's need, not permanent solutions. The writer's point is clear: what people could not accomplish through repeated effort, Jesus accomplished through one perfect sacrifice. That truth matters because it exposes a struggle that still exists today. We often look for salvation in the wrong places. Some trust success. Others trust morality. Some trust religious activity, good intentions, or the belief that they can eventually become "good enough." Yet Hebrews 10 reminds us that our efforts will always fall short.

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Christ is sufficient.

This is one of the central messages of The Drift. People rarely drift from Jesus because they consciously reject Him. More often, they drift because they begin trusting something else. A career becomes the source of identity. Comfort becomes the highest goal. Achievement becomes the measure of worth. Little by little, Christ moves from being the foundation of life to merely one part of it. That is why Hebrews 10 repeatedly points us back to the finished work of Jesus. His sacrifice was not partial. It was not temporary. It was not dependent on our ability to maintain it. Verse 14 declares, "For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy."

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Notice the beautiful tension in that verse. Through Christ, believers are already accepted before God, yet God is still actively transforming them. We don't persevere in order to earn God's love; we persevere because we have already received it. For believers, this truth should bring enormous freedom. The Christian life is not a never-ending attempt to prove your worth to God. Jesus has already done what you could never do for yourself. When you fail, you return to Him. When you grow weary, you lean on Him. When you feel inadequate, you remember that His sufficiency covers what your efforts never could.

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But Hebrews 10 does not stop with assurance. It also calls us to perseverance. "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise" (v. 23). Perseverance is not stubbornly holding onto God through personal strength alone. It is continuing to trust that God will remain faithful even when circumstances are difficult. The original audience of Hebrews faced pressure, hardship, and opposition. Many were tempted to step back from their commitment to Christ because following Him had become costly. The same temptation exists today. While our circumstances may differ, the pressure is familiar. Our culture constantly invites us toward comfort, self-reliance, and compromise. The call to follow Jesus fully can feel inconvenient, unpopular, or even costly.

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This raises an important question: Is Christ enough for you?

Is He enough when obedience requires sacrifice? Is He enough when prayers seem unanswered? Is He enough when life does not unfold according to your plans? Perseverance is tested when Jesus is all we have left to hold onto. The good news of Hebrews 10 is that He is enough. He always has been. The chapter also reminds us that perseverance is not meant to happen in isolation. Just a few verses after this passage, believers are encouraged to meet together, encourage one another, and spur one another toward love and good works. God never intended for His people to fight drift alone. We need community. We need reminders. We need others who can point us back to Jesus when our focus begins to shift.

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For those who are still exploring faith, Hebrews 10 offers a profound invitation. Christianity is not primarily about self-improvement or religious performance. It is about trusting in the One who has already done what we could never accomplish ourselves. Jesus offers forgiveness, restoration, and a secure relationship with God—not because we earn it, but because He secured it through His sacrifice.

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A Restoring Truth for Today

Our efforts will always fall short, but Christ never does. When faith feels difficult, when drift seems subtle, and when perseverance feels costly, remember that your hope rests not in your ability to hold onto Jesus, but in His ability to hold onto you. Because of His finished work, you can continue forward with confidence, trusting that the One who made the promise is faithful.

Jesus, thank You for being sufficient where we are insufficient. Thank You that Your sacrifice accomplished what our efforts never could. Forgive us for the times we place our trust in ourselves, our achievements, or our circumstances instead of in You. Strengthen us to persevere when faith becomes difficult and when the temptation to drift feels strong. Help us hold tightly to the hope we profess because You are faithful to keep Your promises. For those who are still seeking You, reveal Your grace and invite them into the rest and security found in Your finished work. Keep our hearts anchored in You. Amen.