An Approving Conscience Devotion 2 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)

AVOWED DEVOTION WITHOUT BELIEVING THE TRUTH

There are individuals who say they love the Lord and are devoted to Him, but ignore what He has said. Such a condition presents the spiritual incongruity of loving the Lord while remaining fundamentally ignorant of Him. Such a thing is simply not possible. That type of love is a delusion.Notwithstanding that disparity, myriads still attempt to maintain some form of spiritual identity with God independently of the appointed means. Such is not possible, and those who attempt such a herculean achievement will be dashed upon the rocks of futility. You cannot "know the Lord" while remaining in fundamental ignorance of His Word. You canot love Him if you do not know Him. We are saved through the "love of the truth" (2 Thess 2:10), and "belief of the truth" (2 Thess 2:13). If ever a person is going to have an uncondemning coinscience, there must be exposure to, and a hearty embrace of, the truth of God--particularly as proclaimed in the Gospel of Christ. Where the Word of God is not declared, the conscience will be defiled.

TRUTH VS TRUTHS, AND DOCTRINE VS DOCTRINES

The word "truths" is not found in Scripture. The NIV frequently uses this word, but it does so incorrectly. It translates the word "principles" "truths" (1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Tim. 3:9; 4:6; Heb. 5:12), (properly translated "principles" in other major translations). One might wonder what this has to do with the discussion at hand. A great deal! A positional theology requires the concept of "truths." In this case, the Word of God is perceived as a network of unrelated realities that can stand individually. Contextual and language considerations are requisite to this view, as well as theological experts--practially speaking, they are "clergy." The basic component in this approach is human understanding. As little as men may like to hear it, a Living Christ and an indwelling Spirit are not necessary to the acceptance of such views. The truth of God, or the "doctrine" of God is singular. It is comprised of interrelated realities that depend upon, and are harmonious with, each other. The condition is what enables the child of God to have confidence and assurance.

-- TOMORROW: THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMANDMENT --