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7

Scripture here speaks of “our mortal flesh”, not only the body,

but mortal flesh, as if to emphasize the fragility of the

condition.

How puny we are; who knows what is working in us in a

physical sense, and yet we have this treasure in the earthen

vessels. In the feebleness of our condition God is securing

moral glory, such as has never been known before, and it is to

shine forth. The light shines when the vessel is broken; when

you are not occupied with your own imagined greatness; are

not occupied with your own importance. It is when the vessel

is broken that the light shines. What a shining! We have seen

it many a time, seen it in older brethren when near death. One

speaks not in a sentimental way, but how the glory shines!—

the glory not of human prowess or human power, but the glory

of the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Well, I come finally to Hebrews. We have here another

important feature in the Christian’s life, and our hearts are

involved in it. It says.

“sprinkled as to our hearts from a wicked conscience”. What

we have here is not exactly the Lord Jesus leading us into the

presence of God but an exhortation that we might draw near to

God. I think it would involve the habits of our life. Are you a

praying person? When a situation arises, what is your

immediate reaction to it? You can generally tell where you are

in soul history by your instinctive reaction to something. I think,

beloved, that it is a fine thing when our instinctive reaction is

that we turn to God, we approach Him. It is a wonderful matter

that we should have liberty to approach God. The Lord Jesus

has purchased that liberty for us. It says, “Having therefore,

brethren, boldness for entering into the holy of holies by the

blood of Jesus”. The Lord Jesus has secured our right of

immediate access to God. The previous chapter is a wonderful

one. I appeal to the young people to read the Scriptures; there

is glory in them.