A New And Living Way (part II)

From the Pastor:  Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

 

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (Heb. 10:22-23) 

With a peaceful confidence free from any fear of a holy God’s retribution because we are guiltless in the blood of Jesus, we enter into the Holiest Place before the Holiest One.  Now, how do we approach or draw near the One Who is on the Everlasting Throne?  Paul reveals that it must be with a “true” or “truthful” heart.  There must be no lies, no deceits, no pretences, and no alternative motives.  All is laid bare before our omniscient God and every thought and intent of the heart is weighed in the balances of truth.  A truthful heart “in full assurance of faith” is absolutely imperative.  This kind of faith is not an on again and off again faith; it is eternally sealed. 

The word “sprinkled” has the idea of being purged.  The word “evil” in our text means guilty.  Thus, our hearts are to be purged away from a guilty conscience.  The blood of Jesus freed us from the guilt of sin, and with a faith fully assured of this, the heart must cleanse itself away from having any guilt of conscience.  Satan is the accuser of the brethren and if permitted he will burden us down with guilt, but it is a false guilt for Jesus has paid the sin debt and all guilt before the Holiest is forever erased.  God no more remembers them.  

The word “washed” out of the language is one used when referring to washing a dead body or cleansing a wound.  The Holy Spirit as living water springing up within the believer washes away the deadness and contaminations of the sinful flesh. As immersion pictures, it is the burying of the old man and the raising up of the new man in Christ Jesus.  It is a cleansing within and without.  

With a peaceful conscience purged of any guilt of sin by the blood of Jesus, the saints are to draw near to the Father for prayer with a truthful heart through the new and living way.