S9P4 – A new way of life: assuredly consecrated

Hebrews 10:22
let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The confident freedom with which we are to approach God is expounded upon further in this verse. Being unqualified, our assurance of faith is dependent only on the spiritual process described in the next part of the verse. Repentance and acceptance of Christ’s blood sacrifice as our atonement for sin cleanses our hearts, which are turned from stone to flesh. These are true and sincere hearts. The washing of our bodies with pure water is the washing by the Holy Spirit as compared to the ceremonial washing required of the temple priests.

Our human nature tends to compare God’s acceptance of us to our unhealthy patterns in accepting each other. We can be fickle, easily offended and quick to write off others for lack of compassion. For this reason, it can seem unreal that God’s acceptance of us can be so complete and absolute. It is not conditional on our faults and failures; it is unconditional despite our faults our failures. While our human love may shift and bend with the wind, God’s love is as immovable as the mountains. We must believe that Christ’s sacrifice was indeed once and for all, continually consecrating us.

Our Father in heaven desires that we are assured of our faith in Jesus Christ, without doubt or fear. We approach with our heads bowed out of reverence, not out of shame or condemnation. If Jesus Christ has consecrated you, then you belong in the presence of God, which is where He wants you to be. The Father lovingly welcomes the guests of the Son, the friends of the Son. [John 15:15] Father, remind us daily that we are to be assured of our place in your kingdom and in your presence, guaranteed by the perfect sacrifice of your Son and your immovable love.