August 4, 2017
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 9:11
In Numbers 19, we learn that ceremonial uncleanness is inseparably linked to death. Yet, as we study the tabernacle, we see that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, cleanses the pollution of the soul.
A Christian is capable of deliberately sinning; anytime we deliberately sin, our conscience becomes unclean. But also, we don’t have to make actual contact with sin in order to be defiled by it. There are sins that we stumble into; we do not seek them out, we simply come across them incidentally. (Numbers 19:16)
Regardless of the cause, there are consequences of an unclean conscience.
When a man sins, he loses fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. He is cut off until he purifies himself. (See Numbers 19:20.) This reiterates the dividing nature of sin. He is no longer able to worship, as an unclean conscience is an abomination to God.
There is also loss of fruitfulness. An unclean man contaminates everything he touches with a deadening effect.
Adrian Rogers says, “If a man is not right with God, rather than ministering life, he’ll minister death. I’d rather have no preaching than preaching that comes from unclean lips.”
This passage explains the cleansing of an unclean conscience. Numbers 19:2 says, “...Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come.”
In order to be purified, the Israelites were instructed to burn the heifer on the altar, which is a picture of Jesus Christ, our perfect sacrifice. Because it was perfect, this cleansing agent was acceptable to God. Because of Jesus’ finished work at Calvary, this cleansing agent is accessible to man.
The cleansing agent of Christ’s sacrificial blood is applicable by faith. The Israelites were instructed to take the ashes of the heifer and mix it with water and hyssop and sprinkle it over an unclean person. The water represents the Word of God, and the hyssop represents faith. Through the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and our faith, we can be cleansed of our sins. (See Hebrews 9:13-14.)
There are two things we need in Christian warfare: unfeigned faith and a pure conscience. (See 1 Timothy 1:5.) Do you need to be cleansed of a polluted conscience today?
