Abundant Grace Fellowship
Do You Have A Sin Conscience? Parts 1 & 2
DO YOU HAVE A SIN CONSCIENCE? PART 1
By Pastor J.D. Link
Abundant
Did you know, that as a believer in Christ Jesus, God does not want you to be conscious of sin? Did you know God wants you to be in such close relationship with Him that sin isn’t even thought about? Did you know Adam and Eve, before their treason, had no sin conscience? Gen. 2:25 says they were both naked and not ashamed. Why? Because they had no sin conscience; it was a non-issue. They didn’t know what sin was. Did you know Jesus died to restore to us the kind of relationship Adam and Eve had with God The Father? I know some already may think “Greasy grace!” “Sloppy agape!” “License to sin, you preach!” No, that’s not what I’m saying. Although, if those accusations never came up, then I wouldn’t be preaching the gospel the way Paul did (
Hebrews 10:1-14 says “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. (4) For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (6) In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (8) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. “ If you could grasp the truths these scriptures reveal, it would radically change your life.
The Old Testament law was just a shadow of good things to come. That good thing was Jesus. All the O.T. law points to Christ: the Tabernacle, the priesthood, blood sacrifices, the Sabbath, and the feast days. They were all types and shadows of Jesus. Under the old covenant, there was a constant focus on sin. Sacrifices were always having to be offered. Something was getting it’s throat cut for the people’s sin on a daily basis. Therefore, a sin conscience was ingrained in the people. They saw that though blood was shed for their sin, it didn’t work. It would have to be done again, over and over. In Heb. 10:2, it says if the shed blood would have worked, the worshipers, once purged, should have had no more conscience of sin.
Are you seeing something here? If the blood of bulls and goats could have actually washed away their sins, they should not have even thought about them anymore. Why? Because they are washed away! Gone! You know, as far as the east is from the west (infinity) [Ps. 103:12]! God will remember their sin no more (Heb. 10:17, Isa. 43:25, Jer. 31:34)! Their transgressions are blotted out (Isa. 43:25)! Their iniquity is pardoned (Mic. 7:18)! They’re cleansed from all sin (I Jn. 1:7, Rev. 1:5)!
Of course, the Scriptures say that it didn’t work. That it wasn’t even possible for the blood of animals to take away sins (Heb. 10:4). Oh, but there was some blood shed! My goodness, I feel like shoutn’ Hallelujah writing about this! Until next time, rejoice in the Lord (Phi. 4:4)!
DO YOU HAVE A SIN CONSCIENCE? PART 2
By Pastor J.D. Link
Abundant
Last week we looked at Hebrews 10:1-14 (specifically verse 2) and saw that we as Christians, or “worshippers once purged” (Heb. 1:3, 2Pt 1:9), should have no more sin conscience. We saw that in the Old Covenant there was a constant reminder of sin, which of course were the sacrifices offered at least twice a day, every day (Ex. 29:38-39), and the yearly Day of Atonement (Lev. 16), as well as Passover and others. This produced a sin conscience in the people, which means they were always aware of their unrighteousness, of their sin, and they couldn’t escape it. They knew in their sin conscious mind that although blood was shed for their sins, it was only temporary.
Oh, but there was some Blood shed! There was a Sacrifice offered! There was a Lamb slaughtered! There was blood shed that has taken away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29)! How sad it is to know that people on their way to Hell have already had their sins paid for, if only they would reach out by faith and receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. All praise be to God Almighty, there was a sacrifice that worked! My goodness, the worshippers (Christians) have been purged! Hallelujah! Stop reading this for a minute and give God some praise! Jesus’ blood has washed away all our sins (Rev 1:5, 1Jn 1:7, 1Cor 6:11)!
Hebrews 10:14 says Christians have been perfected forever! Jesus made one sacrifice for all mankind, for all sin, forever, and then He sat down (Heb 10:10,12). He cried “It is finished!” on the cross. Jesus isn’t going to go die on the cross every time we sin. He did it once, and did it perfectly and completely. Some argue whether our future sins are forgiven. You better hope they are, because Jesus died 2,000 years ago, which makes all of our sins future! If Jesus didn’t pay for future sins as well as past and present, we’re all in a heap of trouble. Thank God, He paid for it all.
Now the question is, why do such a large number of Christians have a sin conscience? Why are so many Christians always focusing on their sin and unworthiness, and living as though they are under the Old Testament Law? Why do they live as though their sins aren’t really washed away and that many more “sacrifices” will need to be offered before they are right with God? In fact, it seems a lot of Christians think they’re doing right by being ever so conscious of their unworthiness, like that makes them “holy” or something. “Oh, I’m just a sorry old wretched sack of scum sucking trash, just a worm, just an ol’ sinner.” That may sound like it’s humble, but it isn’t. All that kind of talk does is show that the person doesn’t have a clue about what Christ did, and what happens to you when you get born again. That kind of attitude comes from a highly developed sin conscience, which Christians are not supposed to have.
I’m not saying that when a Christian sins he shouldn’t confess it and repent, because he should (Romans 6). But we are not to have a sin conscience, or to always be focused on sin. We are to have a righteousness conscience. We are to be focused on who we are in Christ. That is where the victory is. I’m not saying you should go live a sinful life. I’m not talking about a different end, but a different means to that end. You may think being told you’re a dirty dog, and groveling, and doing various types of penance and religious “things”, feeling bad about yourself, and basically having a sin conscience will cause you to be holy, and therefore make you acceptable to God.
I’m simply saying that if you would focus on who you are in Christ (2Cor 5:21), and that you already have the right to stand before God because of Jesus (Heb 4:16), and that your sins are already forgiven (1Jn 2:12), and that you’re already sanctified (Heb. 2:11), that this will empower you to live a holier life accidentally than you ever could on purpose! Our triumph, our victory, is in focusing on who we are in Christ, not ourselves. Until next time, rejoice in the Lord (Phip. 4:4)