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The first great proof that one has no more conscience of sins is "boldness of access" to
the Lord.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by
a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say,
His flesh; and having an High Priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true
heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience"
(Heb. 10: 19-22).
The connection of the "heart" and the "conscience" is of chief importance. The
expression: "hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience", is striking and somewhat
obscure. The apostle John does not use the word "conscience", but he refers to the same
thing when he says: "Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then we have confidence
toward God" (I John 3: 21). The "true heart" is a heart "sprinkled from an evil
conscience". The expression is taken from such a passage as Lev. 14: 7 which deals
with the cleansing of the leper, and his access to the Lord. The marks therefore of a
conscience freed from the sense of guilt may be summed up as follows:--
(1) BOLDNESS of entry into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.--This reveals that the
one and only basis for a good conscience is the one all-sufficient offering of Christ, and
the cleansing power of His precious blood.
(2) ASSURANCE of faith.--This faith, which rests for its whole salvation on the
finished work of Christ, is a constant accompaniment of a conscience clear of guilt before
God, and gives the necessary assurance to the believer that he need have no fear when he
draws near to the throne of grace.
It will be readily seen that until this matter is settled and settled scripturally, service,
worship, study, the quiet rest of faith, peace with God, patience and all the fruits of grace
will be seriously imperilled.
We therefore rejoice in the fact that conscience can be cleansed, and the heart relieved
of the burden of guilt. The true worshipper has been "once purged" and therefore has "no
more conscience of sins". It is as complete and perfect a work as justification. We
cannot be justified afresh; such a thought is a contradiction. We cannot be saved afresh;
we are saved by grace through the finished work of Christ. Our consciences no more
condemn us in the presence of God for sins committed, because we know that they have
been righteously dealt with in the person of His beloved Son, and shall be remembered
"no more". While of us it can be said, "no more" remembrance of sins, it may also be
said, "no more conscience of sins", and until it is possible for God to fail in honouring the
work of Christ, the believer can have full assurance of faith and a clear conscience in His
holy presence.