"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR CONSCIENCE"
From the NKJV
2nd Cor 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
2nd Cor 1:13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end
From the NLT
2nd Cor 1:12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own earthly wisdom. That is how we have acted toward everyone, and especially toward you.
2nd Cor 1:13 My letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us,
Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:
1. Paul was being attacked by some false teachers within the church of Corinth, and they were making many different accusations against his apostleship, and his character. One of the things they were accusing him of, was not meaning what he said, when he said something, or, of being a liar.
2. Paul boasts to them, and says he has a clear conscience. The word conscience, means, the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other. Paul has a clear conscience regarding their accusations.
3. He goes on to say that the way he conducted himself among them, and in general was that he had "been honest and sincere in all of his dealings with them"
4. Additionally, He told them, that "he depended on God's grace, and not on his own earthly wisdom" And, that his writings to them, had been straightforward, and there was nothing written between the lines, and nothing they could not understand. He also hoped that someday they would really fully understand him, and his fellow ministers.
5. When you put all of this together, there is a great example for us to understand, what to expect, and how to live in Christ.
(1) Don't be surprised by attacks against your character if you are doing the work of God.
(2) Realize that false teachers lie, that's because they are false, and lie like their father the devil lies.
(3) Having a clear conscience is indeed a blessing. By the way, if it's not clear, it can become clear by confessing our sins.
(4) Being honest, and sincere is the way Jesus was, and the way that He calls us to be. It's a powerful witness in the world.
(5) We do not have to depend on our own wits, but we can depend on the wonderful grace of God.
(6) Telling the truth in love, and living with "nothing between the lines" as it were. Just honest and sincere. A blessing indeed.
(7) We can always hope that those who may not believe us, will one day have a change of mind.
(8) In the meantime, the Lord knows the truth about all of us, from top to bottom, from the inside and the out.
A prayer:
Father, You have saved us. So, may we start by simply saying thank You. And, You have given us spiritual food to nourish our new life on, Your Word, thank You for that also. And, we appreciate how the Bible, no matter where we open it to, seems to have something to say to us, that resonates with our souls, and encourages us, convicts us, helps us, comforts us, instructs us etc.
Please help us to live in all good conscience before You, and before people, day by day, until we get to heaven. We love You Lord, in Jesus name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
