God does not say, "Their sins and their iniquities I will not remember," but "their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." The simple statement that God would not remember our sins might imply that He passed over them. But when God says they will be remembered no more, it implies that they have all been remembered, confessed and borne, and dealt with in judgment.

Since they have been dealt with, God can righteously say they will be remembered no more. This truth of a purged conscience prepares the way for worship. Already the apostle has spoken of the new sacrifice and the new sanctuary; now he presents the new worshipper. In contrast to Judaism, in which the offerer had no access to the holiest (Hebrews 9:7), in Christianity the believer has "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19).

Provision has been made to remove all that would hinder our drawing nigh to God as worshippers. Sins have been met by the blood of Jesus. Having taken flesh and become Man, Christ has opened a living way for people to enter the holiest place. Our infirmities are met by our High Priest. Neither the sins we have committed, nor the bodies we are in, nor the infirmities with which we are encompassed can hinder the believer from entering in spirit within the veil, into heaven itself.

Let us then, says the apostle, draw near to God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the affections set free from a condemning conscience and out bodies set apart from every defiling practice.

Hamilton Smith