Living with a Clear Conscience

Read the Text: 2 Corinthians 1

Memorize the Text:  

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love.

(1 Corinthians 13:13, CSB)

Consider the Text: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

The apostle Paul faced many accusations from the church members in Corinth. These accusations attempted to lessen his impact on the gospel ministry and derail his influence and leadership in Corinth. The apostle addressed these accusations with a response statement by declaring he lived with a clear conscience concerning his ministry. The example set forth by the apostle should challenge believers in leadership to pursue a life lived with a clear conscience. This form of living does not mean other believers will not bring charges or accusations, but it means that you live with the understanding that you followed the Lord faithfully no matter what. The apostle provided three statements about his ministry that should challenge us today.

WE MUST PURSUE LIVING WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

The apostle Paul knew that statements to harm his ministry had come from several leaders and church members in Corinth. He knew that some of the church members decided to follow other church leaders instead of him and, as a result, attempted to ruin his influence and ministry in Corinth. In response, the apostle declared that he heard their claims but lived in innocence before the Lord. Thus, he stated that he lived with a clear conscience before the Lord and lived with the certainty of his innocence in the reality of the coming Day of the Lord.

The message to believers and church leaders today centers on the pursuit of living in faithfulness before the Lord. When we live in faithfulness, we recognize that we seek to live in obedience before the Lord even when the world may have other thoughts or intentions. We live knowing that we face the Day of the Lord just like everyone else, and we seek to follow the voice of the Lord over the voice of humanity. We live to please the Lord, not people, and seek to live in truth, not opinion. Believers and church leaders today must strive to live with a clear conscience before the Lord.

WE MUST PURSUE LIVING WITH GODLY SINCERITY

Paul declared that he sought to live in godly sincerity. The term used for this expression means frankness and holiness. As a result, the apostle stated that he sought to live before the Lord in holiness. This state of life does not mean perfection, but the apostle indicates that he seeks to live before the Lord in a manner that reflects the Lord, and when he becomes wayward, he seeks forgiveness. Thus, the apostle wants to live in a way that reflects Jesus and constantly becomes more like Jesus. At the same time, this life includes an attitude of frankness. This acknowledges his desire to live in a manner that remains above board and open.

Church members and leaders today need to pursue holiness constantly. No member or leader will ever live in perfection because they will always combat the reality of sin in life. When we pursue holiness, we desire to become more like Christ every day and seek forgiveness when we journey away from the Lord. We strive to live in frankness and to model a life of godly sincerity. When we live in godly sincerity, we take our relationship with the Lord seriously, and it becomes the dominant part of our life.  

WE MUST PURSUE LIVING IN GOD’S GRACE

The apostle Paul demonstrated the ability to live in God’s grace. To live in God’s grace means that the believer understands that salvation and the favor of the Lord do not come because of one’s merit, but the Lord extends grace despite what we deserve. Such grace comes only from the Lord, and as a result, the apostle remarks that his ministry and relationship with the Lord is not earned but comes as the unmerited favor of the Lord. Thus, he sought to live in the grace he received from the Lord and extend it to others.

This form of living counters the wisdom of humanity that seeks to calculate life on the balance scale. When church members and leaders pursue to live in God’s grace, their life becomes marked by the extension of grace toward those who do not deserve it in the perception of humanity. When we pursue to live in God’s grace, we must live to illuminate God’s grace to others and be marked by the presence of grace.

As we consider the words of the apostle Paul, may we analyze our life. Are we pursuing to live with a clear conscience before the Lord? Does our life demonstrate godly sincerity? Do we live in the grace of the Lord and extend the experienced grace to others?

This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.