Guilt-Free Living

Hello, my friends!

Today I want to share some thoughts from a powerful passage in Hebrews that gets to the heart of how we can truly experience intimacy with God. It's a journey from sin-consciousness to righteousness-consciousness, and it's the key that unlocks the door to the deep relationship with our Heavenly Father that we were created for.

The writer of Hebrews says that when the tabernacle and temple system was still operating, it symbolised the fact that the way into God's presence was not yet fully available (Hebrews 9:7-8). That old system, with its veil separating the Holy of Holies, was a picture of the barrier that hindered intimacy with God – and that barrier was sin-consciousness.

See, we've all tried so many human ways to deal with the guilt and shame of sin. Running from God, blaming others, denying it, rationalising it, punishing ourselves, despairing – you name it. But at the root, the most common thing we do is try to earn forgiveness and make up for our sins through our own works and efforts. The writer calls these “dead works” (Hebrews 9:14).

But friends, God's answer is not found in any of our strivings. His solution for sin-consciousness is the breathtaking reality of righteousness through the blood of Jesus! Look at this: “How much more shall the blood of Christ...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). Mind blowing, right?

Understanding that we have been made eternally righteous through faith in Christ's finished work is absolutely essential for having a vibrant, healthy relationship with God. Those stuck in sin-consciousness, always focused on their failures, are called “babes” who are “unskilled in the word of righteousness” (Hebrews 5:13).

But we're called to leave that babyhood behind and “go on to perfection” – not by striving in our own efforts again, but by repenting from dead works and putting our faith in the power of Jesus' blood (Hebrews 6:1). Perfection here means to be brought to completion, to fully walk in the intimacy and union with God we were created for.

For that to happen, two things need to be rock solid:

Let's look at each of those:

God is No Longer Conscious of Our Sins

The new covenant Jesus established is so much better than the old one, because it's based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6-7). One of those game-changing promises is that through the cross, our sins have been eternally removed from God's sight and memory. He says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

Not only that, but heaven itself has been cleansed and cleared of any record of our sins (Hebrews 9:23-26)! When Jesus returns, it will be “apart from sin” with no consciousness of our failures (Hebrews 9:28). God will never, ever condemn those who belong to Christ.

We Are No Longer Conscious of Sin, but of Righteousness

Our conscience speaks to us about our moral state, but it can only be accurate if it has the right information. The blood of Jesus “speaks better things” to God than the blood of Abel's sacrifice (Hebrews 12:24).  Our conscience may still accuse us, but God's perspective is greater than our feelings: “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart” (1 John 3:20).

Religion and sacrificial systems only serve to continually remind people of sin (Hebrews 10:3). But God's solution, accomplished in Christ, is to not just deal with sin but to remove sin-consciousness entirely! The writer declares, “By one offering He has perfected forever those being sanctified...I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 10:14,17).

My friends, the Holy Spirit doesn't convict us of sin and make us wallow in guilt. He convicts us of righteousness! He comforts and assures us that we have been made perfect, reminding our spirits that we are God's beloved children (Romans 8:15-16). His role is to open our eyes to see all the spiritual blessings and riches that are ours in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:9-12).

So often we strive and strive, thinking our acceptance before God is based on our works and performance. But that's religion, not the good news! God's love for us is not based on what we do or don't do. It's based on what Jesus has already done. That's why it's called grace!

When Jesus cried out “It is finished!” on the cross, He meant it was finished. Our sin problem – permanently solved. Our guilt and shame – nailed to that cross. Our righteousness, acceptance and worth before God – secured eternally by His sacrifice.

It's time to let go of sin-consciousness and grab hold of righteousness-consciousness with both hands! Yes, we still stumble and miss the mark. That's why we rely on our Advocate Jesus, not our own self-efforts. But our position as beloved children, our seat at the Father's table, our inheritance in Christ – it's settled. No more striving to become something we already are.

Friends, this path of righteousness leads to the deepest intimacy with Abba Father. It allows us to approach Him without fear or guilt, knowing we are perfectly loved and delighted in because of the blood of Jesus. We are not orphans or slaves, but sons and daughters!

Maybe you've been stuck in cycles of sin-consciousness, never able to rest in your relationship with God. If that's you, let these wonderful truths from Hebrews break those chains today! You are righteous. You are forgiven. You are clean. God's not holding anything against you – in fact, He doesn't even see your sins at all when He looks at you. He only sees the righteousness of His Son.

So take a deep breath and let that sink in. Receive it by faith. In your quiet times, agree with the Holy Spirit as He reminds you of your perfect standing. Before long, righteousness-consciousness will become the new normal. And with it will come that deep soul-intimacy with your Father that you've been longing for. Death to sin-consciousness, life to righteousness-consciousness!

Be Blessed my friends, for you are His beloved child. He delights in you and sings over you with steadfast love. So live from that place, my righteous friends! I'm celebrating this truth with you.

Phil