Awareness
Awareness is an often-used word in our modern times. It is applied to all kinds of areas of concern, such as “Cancer Awareness,” “Crime Awareness,” “Hunger Awareness,” and so many more.
Did you know that within Christianity, there are certain things that many claim a need for awareness of?
When we say to be aware, we are actually talking about what we are conscious of. Awareness involves being informed, having a perception, or understanding.
In the letter to the Hebrews, the writer is laboring to make them aware of what has been accomplished in Christ and warn them against going back under the Jewish systems of sacrifices for matters of sin.
To make a point, the idea is raised that the Israelites are reminded of their sins by offering repeated sacrifices. Each time a sacrifice is made, they are reminded of their sins and made conscious of them. In other words, they are sin-conscious, or they live in sin awareness.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
The statement, “For the worshippers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins,” is an extremely powerful one that is too often overlooked.
The idea is that if those sacrifices had truly atoned for sin once and for all, they would have ceased once the objective was attained. The purpose for which they had been instituted would have been met forever and thus no longer required any further sacrifice. But the language here is meant to make us aware that those sacrifices came up short of that kind of goal and thus only served to remind the people of their sins.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
But this man. What man? Jesus! What did Jesus do? He offered one sacrifice for sins forever!
Until this is truly believed, a person will continue to live under a sin awareness as opposed to a righteousness awareness. Verse 14 is so important to take to heart and believe.
“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” This really has to do with what a person identifies with the most. Their flesh and its failures, or the fact that they have been made a new creation in Christ and have the very righteousness of God in Christ. Awareness does matter, but what kind of awareness is just as, if not more, important. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you which awareness characterizes you. If you discover it is a sin consciousness, then ask Him to help you better understand the good news of the New Covenant Gospel. If righteousness awareness rules in your heart, then continue in the gospel, knowing that it is the seed of faith for what you have come to know and believe.
