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Since the beginning, we humans invest a lot in our outward appearance. The first man and woman covered their shame of nakedness with fig leaves. Today, we Americans spend a lot of time and money on stylish clothing, even for work clothes.
A lot of sayings speak to this tendency—beauty is only skin deep, don't judge a book by its cover, or a house is not a home. Yet we spend a lot of time and money on skin products and houses! The point is that what's on the inside matters more than the outside.
This even truer when it comes to God and our spiritual life. God always looks at the heart—the inner person—not what is presented to others. This has always been true.
Many people are convinced they need to clean up their lives before God will accept them. But they are wrong. God works from the inside out. Just the opposite of us. He opens the way into His presence to those who let Him clean their lives up, beginning in their heart.
Scripture
With one sacrifice he accomplished the work of setting them apart for God forever.
The Holy Spirit tells us the same thing: “This is the promise that I will make to them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my teachings in their hearts and write them in their minds.’ ” Then he adds, “I will no longer hold their sins and their disobedience against them.” (Jer 31:31-34) [vss 14-17]
When sins are forgiven, there is no longer any need to sacrifice for sins. Brothers and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place. [vss 18-19]
(Hebrews 10:14-19 GW) [Context– Hebrews 10]
Key phrase—
Because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What has been done forever? How was this done?
How does the Holy Spirit confirm this work of God?
For how long will "their sins and their disobedience" be forgiven?
What are we able to do because of the blood of Jesus? Why?
Reflection...
God intends for His truth to live and remain in our hearts, as well as our minds. This is true when a person accepts God's perfect forgiveness through the perfect reconciliation made by the Lord offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice (atonement).
Being "set apart...forever" is God's work. It's not based on any effort from us but on the gracious gift of God. The blood of Jesus—through His death on the cross—cancels the debt and power of sin for those who accept it.
The presence of God, through the Holy Spirit who is given to dwell in us when we experience new birth, continues this work of setting us apart for God and His purposes (Titus 3:4-7).
This is why a genuine believer has the confidence to enter the presence of God (the Holy Place). Just as the blood of atonement under the Old Covenant brought forgiveness for a year, the blood of Jesus brings forgiveness forever—once for all (Heb 9:14).
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
How is this prophetic promise of forgiveness connected to Christ's once and for all sacrifice?
If we are forgiven fully of our sin, what does this tell us about how to handle guilt and shame?
Do you have this confidence to go into the very presence of God?
How would you explain this blessing of entering God's presence in your own words (IYOW)?
©2017—Word-Strong
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews