August 12

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! — Heb 9:13-14 BSB

What a mercy it is to have a conscience even partially purged from dead works, so that we may serve the living God! To feel any measure of free access to his gracious Majesty, any liberty in walking before him, any relief from doubt and fear—what a blessing this is! How thankful we should be for any removal of the burdens that often weigh down the soul. Yet, no matter how often we stray, we must continually return to the same place. After all our wanderings and backslidings, we must come back again and again to have the guilt removed, the mercy proclaimed, and the peace revealed. For isn’t this the greatest blessing? That the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin? Having obtained eternal redemption for us, his blood will never lose its power. It will continue to purge the conscience of every burdened member of his mystical body until the day he presents his ransomed saints faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.