The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience 5-13-2010

May 13th, 2010 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience

May 13 2010
. . . strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men —Acts 24:16

God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19 ), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey.

Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” ( Romans 12:2 ; also see Ephesians 4:23 ).

God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .” ( Ephesians 4:30 ). He does not speak with a voice like thunder— His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is— drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.

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Journal Entry for today..

May 13, 2010

And once again I read Oswald Chambers and he reminds me of my human frailty. I am reminded of keeping a clear conscience and how I am to accomplish that. All the while I am reminding myself of the things that rise up in me that I find offensive to me; let alone God. How can I develop the right habits like keeping a good conscience when it feels like I am just one mistake away from falling completely?

And God says…” I have begun the good work in you, and I will complete it.” It is not work you do in the sense that you feel you must “hold on” to righteousness or to doing the right things. All you are to do is to accept the COMPLETE work of Jesus on the cross. Let His sacrifice have its perfect result. In my eyes your slate is clean, your sins as far as the East from the West. You will fail, you will fall. But the work of Jesus never fails and never falls. Focus on that and on the magnitude of the sacrifice and rest in Him.

Oh it sounds so easy but it is hard sometimes to see myself as anything but a self serving constant sinner, focused on myself and my failures at best and on my lustful wants and needs at worst.

You did not save yourself, and while it is natural to want to turn away from your “old man” and become a “new man”; all polished up and bright and shining and new as a result of the realization of what Jesus has done for you. You cannot. What was born of the Spirit cannot become real from the change in your flesh.

Simply focus on Jesus, His work and understand the love that is never ending. There is no condemnation..ever. Rest in me and be free. Your habits will fall away as you rest, and your conscience becomes clear as the Spirit makes you aware of your position in Jesus.

journal #2
5 13 2010
Good morning Trinity, It’s been a while, too long. But I’m so glad to be back. I just read some of our talks from a year ago. Wow your love and acceptance is so awesome. How do you do that?
It’s just who we are, and we planted the same seed in you. You are becoming that same love and acceptance.
Am I your project?
You could look at it that way. All of our children and all of our creation are in process. The difference between you and the rest of creation is that we partner with you in the project. Not so the gecko or the buffalo.
It feels good to know that my partner is the God of the Universe. Kind of gives me an Ace.
Yes
Thanks for helping yesterday with Jack and Ernesto. I felt your partnering.
Good, That’s what we do. There were more opportunities…
Yes I know. I’m sorry I missed them.
That’s what today will be for.
Please help me at the dentist. Mainly show empathy.
Go, partner.

From the CO2

Be aware that completed works surround you all day……

Another Dashboard Idiot light is when we feel inadequate and beat ourselves up with guilt and self condemnation…. Then we know it’s time to go and give some grace and mercy away.

It’s hard  for a delivery boy to stay down in the dumps and down on himself when delivering a personal miracle for the God of the universe.

And remember a baseball player only has to hit 3 out of 10 to be an All Star. And he doesn’t get consumed with self condemnation at a swing and a miss. So neither should we. Just get back up to bat with our eye on the ball….. Which is Christlikeness and delivering Him into our world.

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