How does maintaining innocence impact our worship and relationship with God? Setting the Picture Psalm 26:6: “I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, O LORD.” David treats the tabernacle as a real place where real hands touch real sacrifices. Innocence is no mere figure of speech; it is a lived holiness that allows him to walk right up to God’s altar without shrinking back. What “Innocence” Means in Scripture • Clean hands—outer actions free from sin (Psalm 24:4) • Pure heart—inner motives aligned with God (Matthew 5:8) • Unmixed devotion—no idols or double-mindedness (James 4:8) Together, these traits form the innocence David joyfully professes. How Innocence Shapes Worship 1. Freedom of Approach • Hebrews 10:22—“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us…” • When sin is confessed and forsaken, we come near without fear or shame. 2. Heightened Awareness of God’s Holiness • Isaiah 6:5 shows how sin awareness can crush worship; innocence lifts that burden so we behold God with clear eyes. 3. Undivided Praise • Psalm 51:15—“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.” • Innocence removes the inner blockade that keeps our mouths from singing freely. 4. Authentic Service • 1 Timothy 2:8—“I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.” • When hands are clean, service is credible and compelling. Impact on Our Ongoing Relationship with God • Continual Fellowship – 1 John 1:7: walking in the light keeps the blood of Jesus cleansing us so intimacy stays unbroken. • Clarity of Guidance – Psalm 25:14: “The LORD confides in those who fear Him.” Innocence tunes the ear to hear His whisper. • Power in Prayer – Proverbs 15:29: “He hears the prayer of the righteous.” Guiltless hearts see more answered petitions. • Steadfast Joy – Psalm 16:11: fullness of joy is found in God’s presence; innocence lets us remain there. Guardrails for Remaining Innocent • Quick confession (1 John 1:9) • Scripture saturation (Psalm 119:11) • Spirit-led self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24) • Accountable fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Obedient action the moment light is received (James 1:22) Living the Lesson Today Innocence is not perfectionism; it is the ongoing practice of keeping sin out in the open, under the blood of Christ, so our hands stay clean and our hearts remain tender. When we guard that innocence, worship becomes delight instead of duty, and our relationship with God grows warm, confident, and fruitful. |
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