A Pure Conscience
Keeping our mind on the present is a valuable skill that helps us make the most of our opportunities. Putting past failure behind us helps us to focus on the present and work towards the future. Putting past failures behind us is a skill that we can learn, putting our moral failures, or sins behind us is another story entirely. In Hebrews 9:11-14, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins should be the only way we deal with our guilty consciences. It shows how we move away from idols to worshipping the One True God as we trust in the power of the Gospel to save us.
Scripture
Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Bible Study Questions
What must we put aside if we are to work towards the future in serving God (Philippians 3:13-14)
In what way did Jesus, our perfect High Priest, “enter into the Holy places” by means of His own blood? (Hebrews 9:11-12)
What could the blood of sacrifices purify, and what does Jesus’ blood purify which the sacrifices never could? (Hebrews 9:13-14)
The perfect sacrifice of the sinless Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, purifies our conscience and moves us from dead works to serving God? (Hebrews 9:14). What are dead works, and how can they be idolatrous and prevent us from serving the living God?
What two things must we do for Jesus Christ to purify our conscience? (Acts 10:43 1 John 1:9)
If we’re struggling to confess our sins, and praying for our forgiveness, who can we ask for help? (James 5:16)
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You that You have made a way to purify me to Your standard. Thank You that You can take away my guilt, shame and the punishment that I deserve for the way I have rejected You, mistrusted You and disobeyed You. Thank You that Jesus gave His life to cleanse me from all these things, and to suffer in my place so that I can enjoy His freedom and perfected loving relationship with You. Please bring to mind those things I need to confess to You, grant me the faith to trust in Your complete forgiveness through the work of Jesus Christ. Please purify my conscience, and train it to respond to You and the truth You speak to me through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Serving
Confessing our sins to one another does not bring forgiveness, but it is something that is commanded in Scripture (James 5:16). In confessing to one another and then praying for one another we provide a great Christian service. The Lord Jesus Christ established His Church to make us available to minister to one another. We need to make ourselves available for this very personal and confidential ministry, guarding each others confessions in the strictest confidence and praying with deep sincerity for the forgiveness of our sins.