For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:13-14 WEB
Most scholars agree that Paul wrote this letter. In it, the apostle writes of the effectiveness of the blood of Christ to “cleanse your conscience.” Hebrews discusses the superiority of the new covenant made through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Under the old covenant, religious leaders made sacrifices continually for the sins of the people and even the sins of the priests.
After the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, no more sacrifices are required. As Jesus said on the cross in John 19:30, “… it is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. KJV”
Cleanse Your Conscience in Christ
The grace of God is what saves us and the Lord wants to save all people. He is merciful and loving beyond our ability to understand. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 9:13, “But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. WEB”
Christ was the perfect sacrifice and God requires nothing more. The Lord paid for our sins in full. The shedding of Jesus’ blood was infinitely more powerful than the sacrifices of animals that are no longer needed.
The blood of the Lamb of God cleanses us completely. The Lord no longer remembers our sin. As the Psalmist said, God has removed our iniquity so far as the east is from the west. We are no longer guilty. Christ cleanses our conscience.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for cleansing my conscience and forgiving my sin. I praise you and will serve you all the days of my life. Make plain my understanding of your word and your will. Give me the things I need to serve you today, tomorrow, and forever. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Saved
