Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
It is not enough to believe in Christ and His priestly ministry in the courts above. The sincere believer will make use of the facilities Heaven has so graciously provided by which he may “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (see on ch. 4:16). To “draw near” implies intimate communion and fellowship.
A true heart.
This is the first of four qualifications set forth which those who would benefit by the saving merits of our great High Priest must meet. He who draws near with a “true heart” does so in all sincerity, without hypocrisy or reservations of any kind.
Those who “draw near” must do so with unwavering faith in the power of Christ to cleanse the soul from sin and to impart grace to live above sin. Doubt and unbelief rob a person of the capacity to appropriate the saving merits of the Saviour. The importance of faith to a living Christian experience constitutes the theme of chs. 10:38 to 11:40.
Anciently, the sprinkling of such things as persons and the clothing they wore represented dedication to sacred service (see Lev. 8:30; etc.). The old covenant was ratified, or confirmed, by the sprinkling of blood (Heb. 9:19). In a similar manner, he who draws near to Christ will heartily accept the provisions of the new covenant and will dedicate himself to the new way of life provided by that covenant.
Evil conscience.
Here equivalent to the “old man” of Rom. 6:6; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9. A new heart has replaced the old, and the earthly desires that formerly motivated the life have been abandoned. The mind and love of Christ are now in control (see on 2 Cor. 5:14; Phil. 2:5).
Bodies washed.
There is outward evidence testifying to the inward transformation that has taken place. The rite of baptism proclaims to all men the intention of each candidate to enter into the privileges and to accept the responsibilities that follow upon conversion. Concerning the significance of the rite of baptism see on Rom. 6:3-6.
Pure water.
In the physical world water is an important and valuable cleansing agent, and it is a fitting symbol of the cleansing of the life from sin.