PAUL’S CONSCIENCE

• PAUL’S CONSCIENCE “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience” (2 Tim 1:3) Paul’s “forefathers” were Jews. Paul is emphatic that they still served God with a clear conscience. He is equally emphatic that he also served God with a clear conscience. Even when he was persecuting the followers of Jesus, he still did so with a clear conscience. Please consider:
• “Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, "My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (Acts 23:1).
• “I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” (Acts 24:15-16)
• “I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit—“ (Rom 9:1)
• “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.” (1 Cor 4:4)
• “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” (2 Cor 1:12).
• “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim 1:5)
• “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” (2 Tim 1:3)
• THE CONSCIENCE OF OTHERS
• “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” (Rom 13:5)
• “and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.” (1 Cor 8:7)
• “When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.” (1 Cor 8:12)
• “Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, ‘The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.’ If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice,’ then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake— the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?” (1 Cor 10:25-30)
• “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.” (Heb 13:18)
• “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:16)

YOUR CONSCIENCE Most who read these words are careful to avoid physical injury. Common sense compels us to guard against abrasions, cuts, and broken bones. But what about your conscience? You can be saved with an injured body, but maybe not with an injured conscience. Searing your conscience can transform you into a hypocritical liar and keep you from being saved (1 Tim. 4:2). Please join with Paul and do everything you can to have a clear conscience before both God and men!