We Are Good Enough, Because Jesus Is More Than Good

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. (Hebrews 10:2-3, NKJV)

What does it mean to have “no more consciousness of sin”?

This verse comes from the book of Hebrews, written to a Jewish audience deeply familiar with the Old Testament (Tanakh). The Greek word for sin here is hamartia, which means “to miss the mark”—to fall short, to not be good enough.

In ancient Israel, the Day of Atonement was a solemn occasion to remember and confess the sins of the past year. But the author of Hebrews points out that the sacrificial system was only a temporary solution—a workaround. It could never fully erase sin or the memory of it. The consciousness of sin lingered. The guilt remained.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. During the Chief Rabbi’s sermon, I heard for the first time the concept of “Jewish guilt”—a deep, lingering sense of falling short of never being able to obey the law perfectly. Atonement day became a reminder of that reality.

For those of us who believe in the grace of God, we know we can never be truly free if we keep focusing on ourselves—on our efforts, our failures, our guilt. Sin consciousness becomes a heavy burden: “I sin. I keep sinning. I’m not good enough for God. I’m condemned. I want to be free. I want to redeem myself. I don’t want to be blamed.” It’s all about me—my sin, my guilt, my shame.

But under grace, the opposite of sin consciousness is not sin unconsciousness. It’s Jesus' consciousness. It’s being aware of His love, His sacrifice, His finished work. It’s remembering that I am the beloved of God, justified and fully atoned for through Christ.

“Then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:17–18, NKJV)

I no longer focus on my guilt or condemnation. I remember that my sins have been forgiven. I am loved by God. And now, all I want is to love Jesus in return and let His Spirit live actively in me.

If you’ve ever battled addiction, you may understand this more deeply:

• You don’t want to sin, yet you can’t let go. Temptation comes, and most of the time, you fail.
• You feel guilty. Your mind gaslights you, guilt-trips you.
• You want freedom—not necessarily because you love God, but because you want relief from torment.
• You try harder. You slap your own face. You bang your head. Still, you fall.
• Until one day, you accept that you are accepted by God—even though you know you don’t deserve it.
• Then you see His sacrifice. His love. You stop relying on your own sacrifice.
• And finally, you are set free from the consciousness of sin, and God sets you free and transforms you.

Again, the opposite of sin consciousness is not "sin unconsciousness" or carelessness or license to sin. It’s not ignoring the Holy Spirit’s correction or living freely in sin. Absolutely not—a million times no.

Paul addressed this misunderstanding in Romans:

“And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, ‘The more we sin, the better it is!’ Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.” (Romans 3:8, NLT)

“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (Romans 6:1–2, NLT)

Under grace, God still disciplines us. But He doesn’t gaslight or guilt-trip us. He teaches, trains, and transforms us with love.

And the Holy Spirit reminds us:

You are good enough.
Not because of your effort.
Not because of what you’ve done.
But because Jesus is more than good.

He made you good enough.
You no longer miss the mark.
You are fully accepted.