*What Would You Pay For a Clear Conscience?

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:13-14
Covering vs. Cleansing

Growing up, I was not a very good driver. By the time I was 22 years of age, I had accumulated 27 points on my driver’s license and my license had been suspended 4 times. I remember the varying emotional sensations that go along with the getting caught, the receiving of the summons, the going to court, the paying of the fine, and the PST (the post-experience trauma) that always ensued.

It’s a toss-up, but probably the worst part was the PST. It begins with elation. “Whoopee, ” my mind would shout, “it is over!” But it wasn’t over. After a moment or two of euphoria, fear would kick in. And as I would get behind the wheel of my car, or more accurately hop on my Honda 750 motorcycle, I’d begin to wonder, “How soon before I mess up and get caught again.” My sin had been covered, but for how long?

It kind of reminds me of the Hebrews verse above. The Jews were atoning for their sins once a year, knowing that the covering was only good for 365 days. They likely spent the entire year searching for a spotless lamp to sacrifice, only to have to do it year after year.

Enter Jesus

I love the text, and honestly, before today I never noticed it. It says that Jesus, our ultimate and final sacrifice, cleanses our consciences. What does that mean? No more PST for one. No more worrying about if I am going to mess up, because I know I am going to. The conscience-cleansing is a result of the peace Christ has afforded me, through His righteousness, having paid the price, and not just for the sins I committed way back when, but the sins I have yet to commit. Oh yea, and the cost to you…zilch.

In light of this truth, why would anyone opt to sweep the dirt under the carpet, when in Jesus we have cleansing everlasting?

These articles may or may not relate:

• The Eternal Sufficiency of the Blood of Christ (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
• Free In Christ (ltlto.wordpress.com)
• Worship and a Troubled Conscience (christiantheology.wordpress.com)
• “Out of the miry clay He sent my feet upon a rock and NOW I know!” (intheclay.wordpress.com)
• Christ as the Blood of Abel in Genesis (the-scarlet-thread.com)
• Prayers of the Priest: Preparation and Thanksgiving for the Eucharist (trinitylewisham.com)
• You Are Perfect In God’s Eyes (kswpgoodfriends.wordpress.com)
• Freedom and the Blood of Christ (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
• The Blood of Jesus Christ (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• What Life Is (anointedplace.wordpress.com)