Preparing the Way of the Lord!
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Fill me with Your Holy Spirit right now, that I may fulfill the words of Peter from 1 Peter 3:16! I pray that You will keep my conscience clear today—that I will be so focused on You and so filled with Your Holy Spirit that everything I think, say and do will be pure. I pray that I will bring no cause for offense with anyone I meet today. May any offense that comes from my interactions with others come from their being offended with the message of the Gospel itself. Lord, I know that the Gospel is an offense to those who have not yet received it, but I pray that the way I live my life in the power of the Holy Spirit will attract others to You, and that You will keep me out of the way in my relationships with others, that You may receive glory and honor. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
1 Peter 3:13-16
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Reflecting on God's Word
What kinds of things go on in your life that keep you from always having a clear conscience?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What does Peter exhort us to do so that our testimonies will be received by those who don’t yet know Jesus? (3:16)
What does Peter say will happen if we live in this way? (3:16)
Understanding God's Word
What does a consistent walk in the Lord do to the arguments of those who don’t that Jesus IS the Son of God?
What does this text tell us about the connection between words and actions?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What changes do you need to make or does God need to bring about in your life as a result of having read this Scripture?
Thoughts...Keeping a Clear Conscience…
If there is one thing that Satan does not want us to have, it is a clear conscience! Peter makes it clear that our testimonies are underlined by living in such a way that folks know that our testimonies are true. It’s one thing to tell people that we love God, but sometimes it’s quite another to show that love in practical ways to others. Peter lets us know that unless we are living with integrity—which is the only way to have a clear conscience—we will not have a case to defend ourselves, when others start to slander us. (Actually, it isn’t slander if a person says negative things about us and they are true!)
The key to a clear conscience is maintaining a close and healthy relationship with God. As we listen to His voice, and let the Holy Spirit empower us to do His will, our consciences become clear. If we have committed sins in the past—and ALL of us have—then we must confess them to God, turn away from them (repent!), and then let Him transform us. The Apostle Paul makes a helpful comment in Philippians 3, when he says that he hasn’t attained perfection, but he FORGETS what lies behind and strains toward what is ahead…a clear conscience comes from God’s forgiveness, and then moving forward, not living or wallowing in the past, because of since we once committed. As we go about this day we can live with a clear conscience, not because we are perfect, but because Jesus is and He has forgiven us!