DRAWING NEAR " . . . having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience . . . " -- Tomorrow:
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Heb 10:19-22)
Devotion 10 of 16
When sin entered into the world, it contaminated the human conscience, making man sense condemnation when in the presence of the Lord, and forbidding him to draw close to Him. Following the deception of Satan, Eve saw the fruit of the forbidden tree in a different way. It is written, "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise." None of these assessments were in any sense correct. In order to even think in this manner the word of the Lord had to be forgotten, and self had to be exalted above Him.
The record of the actual transgression is brief and to the point: "she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Gen 3:6). The aftermath of this single act was, to say the least, significant. Adam and Eve then knew they were "naked." They did not conclude their flesh was beautiful, but quickly set about to cover it, making "Aprons," or loin coverings, out of fig leaves (Gen 3:7). Their first clothes were inadequate, for God made them "coats of skin," that they might be more thorough covered with a proper covering (Gen 3:21). The very next time they heard the voice of God, they "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord" (Gen 3:8). When Adam finally confronted the Lord, he said "I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself" (Gen 3:9). Eventually, both were thrust out from the Garden and the presence of the Lord (Gen 3:24).
Commenting on this grievous occasion, the Spirit later declared what actually happened at that time. Here are the declared consequences.
1. Sin entered into the world (Rom 5:12a).
2. Death entered into the world (Rom 5:12b).
3. Death passed upon all men (Rom 5:12c).
4. Through the offense of one, many are dead (Rom 5:15).
5. Judgment was by Adam unto condemnation (Rom 5:16,18).
6. By one man's offense, death began its reign (Rom 5:17).
7. By one man's disobedience many were made sinners (Rom 5:19).
The impact of sin registered upon the conscience of the guilty pair. Adam was afraid to approach God with a defiled conscience! He could no longer stand with confidence before the Lord, and did not seek Him out. His contaminated conscience actually drove him from the presence of the Lord. That defiled was passed to all of his progeny. Eventually everyone born of a woman arrives at a point where their conscience is defiled.
A condemning conscience will have the same effect upon you. Your heart must be "sprinkled clean from an evil conscience" (NASB) by the blood of Jesus Christ. That is another way of saying you must be aware you have been forgiven. Under the Law, only the outward man was sprinkled, or a garment, vessel, or other tabernacle accessories. However, in Christ, the heart is "sprinkled" with the sanctifying, purifying blood of Jesus. That is, the "inward man," where the conscience resides, is impacted by the blood of Christ – by an understanding of the significance of Christ's death. A sense of forgiveness and Divine acceptance is realized that frees the individual from the tenacious grip of guilt. Our faith brings this benefit, convincing us we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6).
Do not doubt the reality of the sprinkled heart! The Spirit earlier introduced the Divine logic in this matter. "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:13-14).
Observe, the objective of the cleansing of the conscience is that we might "serve the living God" – being in His employ, and laboring in His vineyard. In this text, we learn that service to God is not possible without coming into the presence of God. He cannot be served by those remaining aloof from Him. Furthermore, a lack of a consciousness of God makes purported service pretentious and unacceptable to Him. God will not recognize labors that were performed in ignorement of His Person! Tragically, this eliminates a great deal of what is said to be done for Him.
Suffice it to say, the purging of the conscience is an indispensable benefit. That alone allows us to come into the presence of the Lord boldly, or with confidence.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I seek to serve You with a lively awareness of Your Person, forgiveness, and acceptance. Grant me this blessing through Your grace.