For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:13-14 HCSB
Many are the times I have helped someone who has asked for benevolence aid and have questioned in my mind if the person was actually telling the truth about his situation. I have always tried to err on the side of helping the person and doing what Jesus would do. If a person lies about his situation, he will have to live with his conscience and will be held accountable to God. One’s conscience helps to discern and understand right from wrong.
Hebrews 9:14 tells us that Jesus Christ will cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Christ’s death has the power to cleanse us on the inside. The ritualistic ceremonies of the Levitical priests only made a person clean on the outside without bringing any inward change. The idea of “dead works” could refer to the legalistic attempts by people to be holy enough to earn salvation. When believers put their faith and trust in Jesus, they are saved from a life of sin to a life of service, to serve a living God. The Greek term for “serve” has a meaning of priestly service.
Challenge: Do you have a clear conscience? Jesus has the power to cleanse your conscience and change your life’s center. A clear conscience leads to a commitment to a living God and service for Him.