A heartfelt desire among many people is the freedom of a clear conscience. A burdened conscience can prevent people from believing that they are accepted by God. Our conscience tells us that we may or may not be doing the right thing, but God’s word informs us what the right behavior is that we need to practice. The Old Testament prescribed an elaborate sacrificial system that accomplished outward atonement for sin, but it left the inner man untouched.

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, (Hebrews 9:13)

This act of expiation was able to cleanse the flesh, but it was a picture of a greater work that was to come:

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

Why did God accept this sacrifice? The phrase how much more reveals the surpassing superiority of Christ. The quality of the sacrifice determines the cleanliness of the conscience. Rather than the blood of animals, we have the precious blood of Christ, the Son of God. The Apostle Peter reminds us of the efficacy of Christ’s shed blood:

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

The shedding of blood enables the forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). In contradistinction to the animals, Christ was a perfect sacrifice and God accepted this offering. This goes beyond expiation to the concept of propitiation. Your sin is not only covered through expiation, but the wrath of God has been satisfied. God accepts you based on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The result is you can experience a cleansed conscience.

We may erroneously believe, “If I just do enough for God, maybe He will forgive me and then I can have a clear conscience.” What is the danger of not having a clear conscience? If we do not have a clear conscience, we imply that Christ’s sacrifice was not sufficient. Yes, Christ suffered a painful death on the cross to take away the guilt of my sin – but we feel that it wasn’t enough. This is a lie from the enemy. Jesus came so that you might have an abundant life.

The condition of my conscience is not based upon my good works, but the all sufficient sacrifice of the perfect Son of God! You can walk in freedom knowing that God accepts you because Jesus was a perfect sacrifice. Believe the truth of God’s word:

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)