“Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?” (Hebr 10:2)
The implications of this verse are very exciting. The author is discussing the superiority of the new covenant compared to the one which is now obsolete. In the old covenant they made annual sacrifices for sin. This system upheld people’s consciousness of sin. The supreme news is that since Jesus is sacrificed once and for all the worshipper can through faith enter a consciousness of no sin.
This consciousness is oblivious when it comes to terms such as trespasses, iniquity and sin pertaining to its own life. It doesn’t acknowledge those concepts any longer, and it certainly isn’t going to discuss those subjects, except that it has an idea that there still are people who are in sin due to unbelief, that is, they haven’t accepted Christ. Because this consciousness is so thrilled in its state of innocence it desires others to share this marvelous life as well.
If you still are trapped in 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” please read the brilliant book “Safe and Sound” by Paul Anderson Walsh who without a shadow of doubt proves that 1 John was written to a mixed congregation of born again Christians and Gnostics. Paul discusses the matter extensively and shows that this verse is addressed to the Gnostics, and that any other conclusion is both unscriptural and illogical.
We can thus confidently assert that 1 John 1:9 pertains to the Gnostics and it demonstrates to them how easy it is to be born again and thus be partakers of a genuine divine nature. This relation becomes more pronounced when we understand that Gnostics believe that they are already without sin and that salvation comes through knowledge.
To be unconscious of sin also denotes a mindset which is free from self effort, self improvement, own works and self reliance. “Why would I involve myself in futile activities like that when He has already made me perfect and fulfilled the commandments in me?”, this person would answer any opponent.
Unconsciousness of sin equals a holy lifestyle! It even pertains to having the mind of Christ!
2 comments:
Ole, thought you were in the States. You are but a stone's throw away....or a mere seagull's wing!
I like the relaxed invitation on the righthand side of the page in which you casually sum up all the warfare the church has been decimated by in the last 50 years!
Love that! And it is actually how God's courts are. Jesus was always saying things like "And if you care to believe it Elijah has already come"...."if you care to believe it"...cos at the end of the day the Lord does not want unwilling disciples fighting Him tooth and nail to the end about every last Spirit doctrine. At some point in our walk we just have to want Him! And if He tells us the sky is purple....then so be it.Do you know what I mean?
Thanks for your kind words. Very generous of you.
Yes, I am just a stone's throw away, living just 60 km north of Oslo. God has during the last year connected me with a lot of wonderful people across the globe who now are coming to terms with who they are in Him. It is awesome to have the privilege to be a part of this.
And...yeah...I know what you mean ;)
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