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Berean Expositor Volume 1
No more.
pp. 86-88
The subjects which have been considered in the last few numbers have been of a very
controversial character. We do not enter the field of controversy merely for the love of
argument, "necessity is laid upon us." We have need for a clear, frank opening up of the
Word of truth, regardless of feelings, traditions, or fears. Three occurrences of the phrase
"no more" in Heb. 10: may provide us with a little help by the way, without entering into
the field of controversy.
No more conscience of sins (Heb. 10: 2).
What can bring about such a condition as this? Does this mean that the apostle was an
advocate of the doctrine known as "sinless perfection"? A careful reading of Rom. 7:;
Gal. 5: 16-25; I John 1: 6-10, and 3: 9 will evidence that the believer is in possession of
two natures, one called "flesh," and the other called "spirit"; one "begotten of God," the
other "begotten of the flesh," the one ever at warfare against the other. How then can
such an one attain to the condition of "no more conscience of sins"? The whole verse
and context supplies the scriptural reason and only answer:--
"For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the
things, can never, with the same sacrifices which year by year they offered continually,
make the comers thereunto perfect; else would they not, in that case, have ceased being
offered, by reason of those rendering the divine service having no more conscience of
sins, being once for all purified?" (Heb. 10: 1 and 2).
Ah! Yes, the "no more" depends upon the "once for all." This blessed state is not
brought about by "turning over new leaves," by belittling sin, by reducing God's holy
standard; no, it comes into the very light of the presence of God, it walks in the light as
He is in the light, it has fellowship with God, yet never does it say, "I have not sinned,"
or "I have no sin." The secret of that holy boldness is that "the blood of Jesus Christ, His
Son, cleanseth us from all sin," or (as above) "being once for all purified." This is the
testimony of the other occurrences of this word "conscience" in Hebrews. The offering
of the blood of bulls and goats never touched the conscience, they "could not make him
that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience" (Heb. 9: 9). But "if the
blood of bulls and goats. . . . sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh, how much more
shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to
God, purge your conscience from dead works" (Heb. 9: 14). Hence Heb. 10: 22 says,
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience."
The passage under consideration does not mean that the believer will never be
troubled by sin any more, this is not the case at all. As he "grows in grace," his own
unworthiness and defilement appear to deepen, but all through he has the glad