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Tuesday, November
4, 2008
Stay Conscious
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we
have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (KJV)
You know, it’s when you have come clean
before God having a clear conscience that it is then that He is able to use
you and speak through you as an effective vessel of His. As you go out and
about letting His light shine through you, it is then that we are able to
stand near, or walk in agreement with God, which is what the word ‘commending’
means. All you are is a vessel which God works through to remind others to
be conscious of God, and what He has done on their behalf and why their
conscience is convicting them as well. There are hidden things in all of us
that need to be discarded before the Lord will use us; so that we can be
more effective when delivering His message.
Psalms 19:9-12 The fear of the LORD is
clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous
altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine
gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (11) Moreover by them is
thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. (12) Who
can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. (KJV)
There are things you may not be aware of
that are holding you back from a deeper walk with the Lord, hidden things
that the Lord will work with you on if you give ear to Him and don’t ignore
your conscience. Instead of settling for whatever will be will be, you
should be expecting the best from the Lord; however He expects your best as
well. So are you spending more time and energy trying to justify and cover
up your lower fallen nature, or are you becoming more conscious and aware
of how to over come it? The Lord knows what we have need of before we ask
and will deal with us in a loving way to remove the hindrances of our lower
nature so that we can partake of His nature. Once you become aware of these
areas it is up to you to stay alert or conscious so that you don’t allow
them back in again.
Romans 2:15-16 Which shew the work of the
law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and
their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (16) In
the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according
to my gospel. (KJV)
Oh those things you think nobody sees and
knows about; you know, those things that your conscience is reminding you
of and why you don’t have peace. For some they spend a lot of energy
accusing someone else and blaming others for their own faults, or else
excusing each other and making excuses for them as well. Look at verse 16
this way, if you desire to have peace with God today and deal with those
hidden things of darkness now then come the day of judgment there won’t be
any surprises. However if you ignore Him and become unconscious to the
things of His realm, things you know you should be doing and operating in,
then that will be more of a day of dread and not rejoicing. Your conscience
is basically reminding you of all that you are ignoring and what it takes
to have peace with God. Basically in the end what it comes down to is, the
more you ignore Him the more you can expect to be ignored also; and for
some it will be eternal if they don’t wake up from their unconsciousness.
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise
myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward
men. (KJV)
If you notice the order of the statement
being made by Paul the apostle you see his first concern was with God,
having a clean conscience before Him which made him void of offence toward
man as well. Many have the order reversed, rather than seeking first the
approval of our Lord and being in right standing with Him they cave in when
pressured by man to back off or take it down a notch when it comes to
pleasing God. I like how the word ‘exercise’ is used also; keeping your
spiritual senses exercised always so that you can know and discern between
good and evil. So how can you keep in good standing with our Lord and have a
conscience void of offence as well, how about a daily renewing of the mind?
Ephesians 4:22-25 That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24)
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness. (25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth
with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (KJV)
A renewing or remind, you are re-minding;
or like with a computer reloading, or rebooting it so that it can operate
properly and do what is needed. A continual renewing of the mind will keep
you reminded of the things of the Spirit and allow the new man Christ
within you to manifest. The old man, the old nature was a liar because it
was unaware or unconscious to the things of the Spirit and was only able to
speak in part and not in truth, which is the only thing that will set one
free. If you desire to walk in newness of life then you will need to give
ear to this message of faith, and then walk in it as well.
1 Timothy 1:5-7 Now the end of the
commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and
of faith unfeigned: (6) From which some having swerved have turned aside
unto vain jangling; (7) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding
neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (KJV)
Williams New Testament translation
of 1Timothy 1:5-7
5. But the aim of your instruction is to
be love that flows out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere
faith. 6. Some people have stepped aside from these things and turned to
fruitless talking. 7. They want to be teachers of the law, although they do
not understand the words they use or the things about which they make such
confident assertions.
You know, God is watching always and
knows the motives of the heart, good or bad. While there are many talkers
out there few are truly walking, and few are really staying conscious and
aware of the things of God while the rest are comatose. Are you awake and
aware of the spiritual realm and where you need to be operating, or are you
sleepwalking in darkness?
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