Today’s Encouragement is 2 Timothy 1:3 NLT “Timothy, I thank God for you-the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”
A Clear Conscience –
What a beautiful thought, he serves God with a clear conscience! We can too my friends!
Too often we endure lingering, overhanging guilt, shame, and condemnation. Some feel this self-punishment of perpetual guilt and shame is necessary to exhibit contrition, and a repentant heart, as if our self-loathing can somehow make us right with God. This is a lie! Our guilt and shame do not cleanse us, nor do they protect us from repeating our mistakes.
Instead, it is because Christ died for all who accept Him as Lord, that all our sins – past, present, and future have been atoned (paid for in full) by His death and resurrection. And Now, as His followers, we are new creations in Him, reborn from our filth – into His perfect sinlessness! We are Clean, by His blood. We can have a clear Conscience!
There is another lie, the other extreme, of impervious pride; the concept of “I can do whatever I want, because I’m saved, so any sin I may choose to live in is already forgiven.” While it is eternally true that all sins are cleansed for all who believe, such an attitude of, ‘I have a free pass’ is seriously in error! This is saying “I have permission to sin because Jesus died for me.” Not true my friends…
Father God, help us to have this clear conscience, always, because of the finished work of Jesus. and also, help us to have a proper respect for His incredible personal sacrifice, which has cleansed us, not given us permission to sin.
Clean
Natalie Grant
Today’s Encouragement 