The Good Life

S

(Hebrews 9:14) ... how much more will the blood of Christ ... purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

O

This describes a more profound feature of Christ's blood: conscience ["suneidasin"] purification. This Greek work means more than being a mere witness to one's own conduct and duty, it also describes the purification of one's outlook. It's a change of consciousness that's caused by learning to discern between death-stimulating and life-stimulating actions. Realizing God's redemptive use of Jesus' blood does that to our perceptions of life. It's radical.

A

Some people argue over which comes first: Does attitude and understanding shape behavior, or can it be the other way around? In this verse I find a different answer: Jesus' blood demonstrates God's grace-filled love, and once I become conscious of that, my conscience realigns like iron to a magnet. God's love redefines how I think about people and how I treat people.

P

Lord, You know how often I wasted my life on worthless works. My darkened mind slandered Your goodness. Thank You, though, for the ever-present reminder of Your blood. It really changes my view of life. It illuminates the living hope I have as I serve You, the living God. Life really is good!