An Approving Conscience Devotion 6 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)

MAINTAIN AT ALL COST (Number 1)

If the objective of the divine requirement is a "good conscience," then, once obtained, it must be maintained at all cost. So vital is the undefiled conscience, that the violation of it thrusts one into sin. This is the clear doctrine of Scripture. "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23). Any activity performed apart from the motivation of faith has a negative influence upon the conscience. That is the point of this text. "Faith," in this case, has to do with ones perception of God and the things of God. Even if the view that is entertained is defective, the conscience cannot be ignored. The Romans 14 text is a case in point. "One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats herbs" (14:2). Technically, the "weak" brother is completely incorrect. Jesus "purged," or purified "all meats" when He said they were not defiling (Mk. 7:19). Those that instruct others to "abstain from meats" are said to have given heed to "seducing spirits and doctrines of demons." They are also said to speak "lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." The evidence of their depraved condition is their teaching which forbids marriage and the eating of meats (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Concerning the meats forbidden by these teachers it is written, "meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Nothing, therefore, could be further from the truth that supposing it was improper to eat meat. In spite of this situation, God does not allow the "weak" brother to defile his conscience. It is said of such an one, "To his own Master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4, NASV). Every individual is to be "fully convinced in his own mind" regarding his conduct toward God (14:5, NASV). Christ "died and lived again," we are apprized, that He might be "Lord both of the dead and the living" (14:9). The "living," in this case, are those "in the body" with a conscience Godward. Jesus is their Lord, among other things, by means of their conscience. The seriousness of this matter is seen in the relation of the conscience to faith. Remember, it is the peculiar prerogative of faith to save the soul. Consider this word from God. "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth" (Rom. 14:22, KJV). The New American Standard Version translates it this way; "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Such an individual has maintained a "good conscience" -- an approving conscience. Do not miss the value of this before God! Right here a devastating blow is struck to a religion based upon tradition. Legion is the name of people shackled by religious tradition. They do not comprehend the theological positions of their church, and yet they embrace them. On a weekly basis, they engage in religious activities that sometimes violate their own tender consciences. They embrace views that conflict with their personal persuasions. In the interest of accommodating the church leaders, family, and other influential people, the conscience is suppressed. If this procedure is not arrested, the once cleansed person will finally be "destroyed," their faith neutralized, and their heart alienated from God. Do not think this is impossible. The Spirit admonishes those that do not consider the conscience of their weaker brethren, "Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died" (14:15).