My grandfather was a wonderful man. One of the things I remember most about him was his response in the morning to the question, "how did you sleep?" He always said the same thing:
"I slept like a baby. My conscience was clear."
Simple, huh? It was and still is an amazing concept to someone like me - a very poor sleeper. He is long gone now, but I was reminded again of his recipe for sleep as I read this scripture. See what you think.
Hebrews 9: 13-14
"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer
sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean
sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
How much more then, will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,
so that we may serve the living God!"
The definition of the word cleanse is: to make clean and pure. Could your conscience use a good cleansing? Mine sure could.
The picture I get with this scripture is of someone filthy and mud-caked, standing beneath a waterfall with their face tipped back and their arms open wide as the water flows down with enough force to push away the dirt and grime. It is cool, clear water that refreshes as it cleanses, pumping energy and life back into a soul that has been weighted down with heat and nastiness.
Just as we would have to step willingly into the flow of the water to be physically cleansed, God waits for us to turn to him for cleansing of our souls and conscience. Salvation washed away the things of this world. "As far as the east is from the west," remember? That is how far he has removed the filth and dirt from us. That same renewal is available to us anytime we need it.
Do a little self check here. How is your conscience? Do you have unconfessed sin that needs to be cleansed? Is there a reason that you hold on to it?
Whether anyone else ever finds out or not, God knows all your secrets. He know the dirt, where you stash it, and why you cling to it. If it's fear that is keeping you silent, remember that anticipation is often much worse than experience. If you will trust God enough to allow him access to your most secret self, he will come in and do what he does best - forgive, cleanse and redeem.
God sacrificed his most precious Son to save you. If you are worth all that to him, don't you think that he will be anxious to cleanse you and make you whole again? Look at the last line of the scripture above:
"...so that we may serve the living God."
God has a plan for you - an amazing one. He is faithful to forgive and cleanse and make us new again - as many times as we need it.
So...if your conscience needs a little help don't put it off. Take it to the Lord right now, today. Confess what you need to, ask his forgiveness and help to walk away from the things of the world and to turn to him to know the way to live.
He is faithful.
He is loving.
He is waiting for you.
I am praying for you.
Sherri
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