“I strive
always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Acts 25:16
In
light of the above verse, are our personal choices, world events, interpersonal
relationships or the like have us feeling soiled, dirty, sullied, polluted,
grimy, and in need of a good washing in the pure waters of God’s love and mercy?
(Heb. 10:22)
Jesus
Christ, because of His great mercy, washes away our sins, giving us new birth
and new life through His Spirit, and declares us righteous. (Titus 3:5-7) Then,
as “our Good Shepherd” (as opposed to a “hired hand” who runs away when
danger comes, or a “thief/robber” who seeks to steal, kill and destroy through
deception, intimidation and violence like ISIS) our Lord cares for, protects,
and restores our soul. (Ps. 23) This Jesus, who is far above all principality and power and might and dominion, yet who laid down His own life for us so
that we might LIVE both now and forever, beseeches us, “Come to Me.”
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.”
Matt. 11:28
Then,
while safely wrapped in His loving embrace, Jesus implores us to actively “hold the mystery of the faith with a pure
conscience.” 1Tim. 3:9
(pure: “katharos”: unstained with the guilt
of anything; free from corrupt desire; innocent)
Jesus is keenly aware of the enemy’s tactics and
wants us to understand the unseen war we live amidst (Eph. 6). ~Utilizing
deception, Satan, the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), will tell us many truths and
partial truths in order to get us to believe and internalize even one significant
lie for his wicked purposes. (E.g.: Eve in Gen. 3:1-5)
Thus, we’re warned: “See to it
that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than
on Christ.” Col 2:8
God and Satan both know that deception acted upon,
creates confusion. Confusion in turn creates apathy, disobedience and/or fear
in the hearts of God’s people, which in turn paralyzes “good”. And when God’s
righteous one’s are paralyzed, evil prevails.
Are we not sensing evil appearing to prevail in
this world system today? E.g.: ISIS; moral issues opposed to God; worldwide
judicial and political corruption/tyranny.
~But around the globe God’s chosen are waking up
and rising up. Oh yeah.
Oh that we may strive to live in the authority of
His eternal living Word. (Ps. 119:89)
“The law of
the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The
statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The
commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The
fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of
the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; … in keeping them there is great reward.”
Ps.
19:7-11
Determined to keep our consciences clear before God
and man one step at a time this week!
Much love and hugs, ~Shaun and Betsy
