An Approving Conscience Devotion 11 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)

CONFIDENCE IN YOU!

There is a very wonderful teaching in Scripture that eluded me for years. Attempting to gain divine approval by means of a law principle, I had no confidence in other believers. Although my conscience told me that there was such a thing as divine guidance, I allowed errors of emphasis to push it to the back of my heart. I cannot but feel that there are many more that are experiencing the same thing. The Word of God has considerable to say on this subject, and we must not shun to declare it. The teaching is that those maintaining a good conscience will be directed to perceive areas presently unclear to them. The real secret to "spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9) is not textual or language expertise. It is a good conscience. Hear the Word of the Lord.

Correction was ministered in confidence

"And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all" (2 Cor. 2:3). The Corinthians had some significant areas of difficulty. Some would have given up on them, but not the Apostle. He knew something of the keeping power of a good conscience and spiritual sensitivity. He had confidence in all of them, and it paid off. He appealed to their sensitivity, and results were realized. There is no reason why the same confidence cannot be had today. All difficulties cannot be corrected instantly or by regimen and mandate!

The heart of Paul was gladdened by his confidence in God's people

This certainly compensated for the "care" which he experienced every day over the churches (2 Cor. 11:28). Hear him confidently speak. "I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things" (2 Cor. 7:16). ALL THINGS! Is there any laborer in God's vineyard that does not desire this sort of confidence? If there was no divine guidance by means of the tender conscience, this confidence would not be possible.

We have confidence through the Lord

"I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be" (Gal. 5:10). How many people can respond to church trouble like that? Paul did not simply stand back from the situation. He addressed the matter in His teaching, bringing the Gospel to bear upon it. Then he cast his care upon the Lord, trusting that a resolution would be realized. He was in fellowship with Jesus in this matter. His confidence was the result of that fellowship. This would not, however, be possible if an approving conscience was not available to us.