Further-reading

A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE

  In 2 Cor. Ch. 1 v.12 we read these words.
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are
from god.
We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.

This verse is part of the testimony of Every true believer in Jesus Christ, their boast is, that their conscience, tells them what is right and what is wrong.

In the first letter of John Chapter 5 we read,
"God is light and in him is no darkness at all.    If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness,   we lie and do not live according to the truth;"

I want here to help you to understand what it is that gives �Christians� the peace and calm and satisfaction in our spirit, that we receive from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

First we must understand what the word conscience means.
   God has made us conscious beings, and given us the ablility to know what is present and what is past.
   We are in particular, able to understand what is happening in our hearts and lives, And of knowing what we feel or do, not only while it is happening but we remember it even when it is past.

   It's this ability that makes us a conscious being. We are aware of the past as well as the present, which relates ourselves.
      We have consciousness.
But there is more to our Conscience than knowing and remembering.
   The main purpose of our conscience according to the word of God.
   Is to accuse or excuse, what we do.
To either approve or disapprove, to acquit us or condemn us.

In Rom. Ch. 2 vs.14- 15 we read these words
"When those who do not know the law, do by nature what the law requires. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. While their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them."

The modern way to describe this idea would be to say that. 'We have a sense of morals'.
   The problem with this definition is that it suggests that to have a moral sense, is something that we humans have developed for the well-being of society. And as such its standards are open to change as and when Society decides.
   But our original text makes it quite clear that our conscience is a faculty or power implanted in every person by God.

   God, has given us the power to know what is right or wrong in our own heart.
   As we saw in Romans 2;
   "They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts.   While their conscience either accuses or excuses them "

   We also know that Gods Standards of what is right and wrong, is written in his word.

   2 Tim.3 v 16 Tells us
   All scripture is given by the inspiration of God,    and it is profitable for teaching the complete will of God.

In Psalm 119 v.105 we read
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path"

   All who truly follow the Lord, consider
"The Bible" to be the only reliable guide as to what is right or wrong, and of what is good or evil.
   Because their conscience convicts them
   And they never let their conscience be persuaded otherwise by any external influences.

   The worlds standards as to what is right and wrong changes with every decade or even less. what was unacceptable behaviour last year is today considered Respectable.

   The Apostle Paul in Acts Chapter 24 v.16 says
"I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men."

   Now in order to have this clear conscience,
I.E. (One that does not accuse us)
there are some things that we need to know.
   We need to have an agreement in our hearts and minds with the written word of God.
   Without this any conscience that we have can only be an evil conscience, controlled by the standards of men.
   We must also understand that Gods will for our lives is written in his word, it's impossible to know what Gods standards are if we have no knowledge of His word.
   And 'most important' We must be honest with ourselves.

In the First epistle of John Chapter 1 v. 8 we are told.
"If we claim to be without sin,   we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us".

   Are we lying to ourselves about our condition before God?    Do we ignore our conscience?
   If we do we shut ourselves off from God's guidance.

   In Proverbs 14 v. 12 we are told
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death"

   If we open our hearts and minds to God's Holy Spirit, He promises to guide us into all truth. Part of which is an inner conviction regarding the truth of His word, something deep inside that says to us.
   This is the way.

   Each of us have built our lives on some foundation, whether that foundation is Work, Love, Money, Sport, Or anything else.
   God's word tells us in 1 Cor. Ch.3 v. 11 that the only sure foundation for all our lives is Jesus Christ.

   We cannot hope to begin to build for our eternal future unless we have faith, in the word of God that says.
   Jesus died and rose again.
And are able to say with conviction, along with the apostle Paul.
Galations ch. 2 v. 20
"The life which I now live,     I live by faith in the son of God."

   Faith in Jesus Christ is the evidence that a person desires a clear conscience.
   And It's when we obey this conscience that we see the promise of God being fulfilled in a person's life,
   The promise Quoted in Hebrews Ch. 8 v. 10
"I will put my laws in their mind, and write them in than hearts"

   The word of God tells us that an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit. And a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.
   Anyone who has truly accepted to follow Jesus, and has a desire in their hearts to live their life in line with God's commandments.
   Can declare with Paul.
" My conscience bears witness that I have behaved well in the world."

   Even in this hostile world. where we are told,
"That the enemy (Satan) prowls around a like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5 v. 8)
   We must resist the temptation to spiritualise that quotation so that it loses its impact.

   This World has many evil men, and women who will take every opportunity to draw us, (and especially young people) Into their web of evil practices.
"And onto that broad road that the bible tells us leads to destruction"
        Matthew Ch.7 v. 13

   The testimony of our conscience to our good behaviour in the World. Is due to the fact, that it is in the holiness and sincerity that comes from God.
   Without sincerity there can be no holiness, and without holiness, or Godliness there can be no true sincerity.
   To live a Life sincerely for the Lord, is to give glory to him in everything we do, this alone leads to holiness.

   Some may argue that there is also a sincerity practiced in the world.

   But in my    experience Worldly sincerity lasts only as long as it suits the person who offers it.
   In fact the apostle Paul specifically points out that the testimony of our conscience, in no way justifies any worldly achievement.
   But only to the fact that what we have achieved is only by the grace of God.
    "Without Him we can do nothing",

   Without Him we cannot even behave ourselves in the world.
   Which is another way of saying,   that left to our own devices we are all sinners.
   Even Paul with all of his education and learning could not achieve the necessary righteousness on his own account.

   Indeed in Philipians chapter 3 vs 7 & 8 we read of Paul saying.
"Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

   The boast then, and with it the joy of the Christian, is in the fact that God, by His Holy Spirit,   assures us through our conscience, that because our desire is to do is will.
   We who without Him are at the mercy of all that is evil in this world
   Have with His help overcome the world and are no longer under the power of   it's ruler    1 John 2 v. 13

   This assurance can be yours today, if you turn to Jesus in simplicity and sincerity.
   And in a simple Prayer ask Jesus Christ into your life to help you and guide you.
   You will then receive from God the assurance of His free gift of eternal life
.
   The alternative is to remain under the power of Satan, who is the ruler of this world.
  The end of which is an eternity without God.

Answer truthfully does your conscience testify that you have conducted yourself well in the world

   For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes on him shall not perish but have eternal the life.

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