November 25, 2009

CLEAR CONSCIENCE--

TAKE THE PROPER STEPS

The day when I asked God to reveal anyone I had offended was a life-changing day for me. As God revealed those people, I went to them one by one and asked them to forgive me for my offenses.

After completing the task, I sensed a freshness and a freedom in my relationship with God I'd been lacking. An indescribable freshness and joy came to my life and ministry.

I then made a commitment to maintain short sin accounts with God and with others. I didn't want anything to hinder my relationship with God or with others and realized that maintaining a clear conscience was hard work. As Paul says, it takes "exercise" ( Acts 24:16 ).

As I sought a clear conscience before God and man, God challenged me with three steps.

1. I made a list of those from whom I needed to seek forgiveness. I listed them in order of importance. The most important one was God, then family, then authority figures, then friends.

2. The scope of my confession was only as big as the scope of my offense. What do I mean? If I offended one person, I went only to that one person. If I offended others, I went to them. If I offended a group of people, I went to the group. If my offense was only toward God, then I went to God alone!

3. I needed to have a sincere, humble, and repentant attitude. I couldn't say something like, "I'm sorry for my part. Are you sorry for yours?" Or "I'm sorry IF I was wrong." No! I had to say, "I was wrong when I ______. I'm sorry! Will you forgive me?"

Why do you think God tells us us not to "let...the sun go down upon...[ our ] wrath" ( Eph. 4:26 )?

READ AND DISCUSS: Acts 24:16 says, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Discuss this verse as well as 1 Timothy 1:18-20 and Hebrews 5:11-14.

--Craig M. Scott--