Marsha's Musings: A Once for All Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25, 26 ESV)

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 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. (Hebrews 9:25, 26 ESV)

Earthly priests had to repeatedly offer sacrifice for the sins of the people.  Modern day priests of various religions have their rituals they go through regularly in an effort to "cleanse" their church members of sin and gain merit with God.  

Yet, this is an affront to God Almighty because Jesus offered Himself once, a perfect sacrifice that puts away sin.  His sacrifice was a one time deal, not to need repeating and some religions vicariously sacrifice Him repeatedly over and over.  This is sad because it is vain repetition that does nothing to effect salvation or merit with God for those who participate in it.

Putting away sin is not saying that God's people gain a sinless perfection on earth, meaning that they come to a place where they no longer sin.  The Bible never teaches this.  We do still sin and will struggle with sin as long as we are on this earth. Christ has put away the eternal consequences of sin for those who are His people.  This does not give us license to sin either.  As Christians we are called to be a holy people.