“But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing. This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:7-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

In the preceding verses, the author describes the systematic processes by Moses to atone for one’s sins and enter into the presence of God (the Holy of Holies). The author points out a crucial point; that sins are committed in ignorance and that sacrifices on earth can not perfect our conscience.

One of the most significant errors in modern Christianity is an inability to identify a self-fault and be humble enough to accept that one is imperfect. It is this inability to acknowledge growth and chastisement that prevents churches from growing into a Christ-like manner and being a light in the darkness. To quote Sadhu Singh, “the church has elephantiasis, and this is why it does not walk”. He was referencing the caste system in India, which still lives within the Indian church, and it was this social differential which stopped the church from having an impact on society. In today’s church, our elephantiasis is the fact Christians can not humble themselves to accept fault, error or imperfection and therefore, they deny the opportunity for further chastisement and sanctification.

All have fallen short, and all still sin; this is what the Bible teaches us and to believe anything else is to call God a liar. We must remember that we are still in our fallen state yet to enter the resurrection glory. Therefore, we all still have sin and heart issues which need purifying. Our role is to be humble enough to receive them in whatever way God chooses to reveal them to us. It may come as a direct word from God, perhaps through a sermon, maybe it is a book you are reading, or maybe it is a word of correction from people around you. Either way, be humble enough to accept the redirection for the unconscious sin that all have. Through this is how you will be shaped into the image of Christ and be a light in the darkness.