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Devotional

Our New Identity in Christ: Cleansed Forever

by CARISSA JOY STRUM IDENTITY Identity in Christ Abide
Our New Identity in Christ: Cleansed Forever
  • by CARISSA JOY STRUM
  • Comment
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:19-25

What’s your favorite book of the Bible? I bet you didn’t just think of Leviticus. Leviticus is filled with overwhelming detail about the duties of God’s people and the building of God’s dwelling place, the tabernacle. As I’ve been reading Leviticus, I’ve been surprised at the significance of the role of the priest. Over and over, the phrase, “…the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean” (Leviticus 14:20b) appears. God’s people were called to bring sacrifices to the priests, and the priests made atonement for them so they would be cleansed. In fact, God took care of people who were poor and could not afford an expensive sacrifice by providing alternative sacrifices (see Leviticus 5:7–13 for an example). Clearly, this specific care reveals God’s love for His people. While God’s love for His people was massive, people could not directly experience that love because of sin. They needed a priest to go between them and God.  


Imagine standing in the heat of the desert, outside of the tabernacle as you waited for the priest to atone for your sins. The animal you brought for the sacrifice is squirming, and you’re tired and feeling unclean because of your sin. Finally, the priest calls you up. It’s your time. As you watch the priest make the sacrifice that covers your sins, a weight is lifted from your shoulders. You are clean. You are right with the Holy God. What a sense of peaceful relief the feeling of finally being right with God must have brought God’s people! However incredible that feeling was, it was temporary. The people of Israel had to repeatedly offer sacrifices because they repeatedly sinned. Uncleanliness became a pattern as people broke the commands of God time and time again. 


What a change the sacrifice of Christ brought. Instead of needing to go to a priest to access God, people could now directly speak with the Father because of the sacrifice of the Son. What a transformative change in identity. The sacrifice of Christ transformed God’s people from living in uncleanliness to living cleansed forever. They went from neediness to dependence on the One who met all their needs. Instead of having to wait for a priest to mediate between them and God, people could directly confess sins and speak with the Father themselves.  


Are we living in the reality of Christ’s sacrifice? As Hebrews 9:11–12 reminds us, the sacrifice of Christ fully covers all of our sins: it was a one-time sacrifice with the daily results of freedom and forgiveness. Let’s walk in the identity He died for us to have today, and communicate with our Father who loves and cares for us. 


Closing Prayer
Father, we praise You. We deeply thank You for Your provision through the sacrifice of Your Son. We want to live in the identity You have given us as Your children, and we ask for Your help to be in community with You daily. Please forgive us for when we have taken the gift of your presence for granted and for when we have placed earthly items and desires above dwelling with You. Thank You that we have confidence of Your forgiveness through Christ our Lord and Your Son. Thank You for allowing us to come straight to You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son. We love and praise You, Lord. In the holy and redemptive Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Resources
Song: No Longer Slaves by Bethel Music Worship songs are wonderful ways to connect the Bible to our lives. When we’re singing songs to God, we are directly interacting with our Father. What an incredible gift! Spend a few moments soaking up God’s presence and allowing this song to wash over you and remind you of your secure and eternal identity as God’s child. Additionally, worship songs tend to get stuck in our heads, and this can lead to their truths getting stuck in our hearts. Throughout the day, if you have a few moments, hum or sing some of these lines to God. It will remind you of the eternal truths of God and your identity in Him.
Question for Reflection

Even though we have full access to God through Christ, sometimes it is difficult to truly enter God’s presence. What hinders you from entering God’s presence and speaking openly with God?

Comments
Carissa Joy Strum
April 28, 2021

It is difficult for me to enter God’s presence when I feel guilty about mistakes I’ve made. It can be hard for me to remember that my sins are already paid for, so I can feel that I have to say or do the right thing in order to earn God’s forgiveness. This can be exhausting and can push me away from the throne of my Heavenly Father. Praise God for His complete forgiveness that is present regardless of my feelings. Praise God for His grace!