An Approving Conscience Devotion 1 of 11

"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22)

INTRODUCTION

The role of the conscience in salvation is little known. This condition is most unfortunate, and is responsible for countless ills among God's people. The conscience is the citadel of the soul. As such, it must be protected and bathed in the Gospel. It can become seared and insensitive. If this ever happens, delusion is inevitable, and condemnation is sure. An "approving conscience" is one that does not condemn the individual possessing it. Such a conscience becomes the basis for confidence, which brings one into the presence of the Almighty.

POSITIONAL THEOLOGY

Conservative theological circles are dominated by positional theology. This is an approach to religion that makes your position on supposed key issues of primary significance. Individuals are approved or disapproved on the basis of their position on these matters. I am careful to say that our attitude about the doctrine of Scripture is vital. At no point, however, is a believer allowed the luxury of being right in position but wrong in morality. Neither does salvation allow for agreement intellectually with a defiled heart and conscience. There is, in fact, no provision for retaining a defiled conscience. The only alternative provided by the Almighty is the purging of a defiled conscience, which is the purification of it. For example, a person may hold to the wrong view of meat being permissible to the believer, and yet be accepted by God on the basis of his conscience toward Him (Rom. 14). On the other hand, one may hold to the official teachings of the church, yet be rejected by God for impurity of heart and life. There are multitudes in the movement with which I have been identified, for example, that have a correct view of baptism, yet live in practical alienation from God. A correct view of baptism cannot save the person. Nor, indeed, can a precisely correct view of faith, the keeping power of God, or the necessity of godly living, guarantee a home in heaven. Theological views do not save the person. God has appointed a Savior to save and a Sanctifier to sanctify. Your relationship to the Savior is what saves you, and identity with the Sanctifier sanctifies you. Denominational circles thrive on positional theology. Religious "buzz-words" have been concocted to ensure that the individual in question holds the proper position. Perhaps a few of them will serve to illustrate the point. These are not intended to be condemnatory. They are intended to illustrate how hearts can become diverted. "Full Gospel," for some, takes precedence over the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Eternal security," for others, is superior to godliness. "Baptism for the remission of sins" is considered by some to have more importance that believing to the saving of the soul. Suffice it to say, divine acceptance is not based on a proper view of Scripture. Mind you, incorrect views of God's Word are never right, never condoned by God, and always dangerous. The knowledge of Divine acceptance, however, WILL lead to correct ideas concerning Scriptural matters. This in no way demeans a proper understanding of God's revelation. It is to say that a "love of the truth" necessarily precedes a proper knowledge of the truth. We are speaking of emphasis here, which does not allow for the rejection or distortion of anything God has said.

-- TOMORROW: LUTHER REFLECTS ON HIS ENLIGHTENMENT -- MONDAY: AVOWED DEVOTION WITHOUT BELIEVING THE TRUTH --