Hebrews 9.1-15: God created us to be close with him, but our sin and guilt keeps us at a distance. On our own, we have no ability to cleanse our consciences. But God, in his great love for us, came close to us through Jesus. Through his shed blood, Jesus makes atonement in the heavenly sanctuary to open the way for us to be close with God. Praise God! Now, if we are in Christ, we live to serve him, in closeness and gratitude.