Hebrews 9:9

Hebrews 9:9

A clear conscience for worshippers

Notice carefully the words used here by the author of this Epistle, he wants his readers to understand that whilst the Law and the tabernacle and religious systems are now defunct, they are provided to give us an illustration that is up to date. The Old Testament of our Bibles is not a historic collection of memories and regulations that have been superseded or overtaken by the New, they are God’s Word, they still have huge lessons to teach us, in fact every event and Scripture in the New Testament has its roots in the Old. The New Testament is the fulfilment of all that had been written by ancient writers from Genesis to Malachi. 

There is one outstanding lesson to be learned from our Jewish ancestors, it is that to have a clear conscience before God we cannot rely on sacrifices and offerings made by men. Once again, this brings into focus every other religion that exists or has existed for they all encourage human efforts, obedience to rules and regulations and strict adherence to the demands of their gods. For instance, the “Five Pillars of Islam are: -

Shahada                 the recitation of the phrase “There is no god but God, and Mohammad is the                messenger of God.”

Salah                       The performance of five daily prayers while facing Mecca.

Zakat                      Charitable donations to assist the poor and needy.

Sawm                    Abstaining from food, drink and sex from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.

Hajj                          The duty to travel at least once in a lifetime to Mecca. 

 

Sorry to introduce the pillars of another religion into our thoughts but this serves to highlight the fact that religion is just that, a set of man-made rules, and God has already used the Law and the tabernacle to declare to the whole world that this does not and cannot work. The Jews have tried so hard over the millennia and failed miserably; no wonder the Lord still loves them and plans for their future. They are not an experiment on His part but a shining beacon to every nation, tribe and individual on earth. Instead of hating them, we should love them for showing us the pointlessness of religious practices. Instead of all this ritual and regulation, the One true God declares that the only way we may relate to Him is on His terms not ours, and what all human beings need, above all else, is a clear conscience so that we may worship Him. Religion can never provide this.  

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