“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Cor. 4:4 NIV)
God gives us a clear conscience.
The reason God creates a clear conscience in us is because He’s objective. Just because you think you did the right thing, doesn’t mean you did. What we judge as right, God may judge as wrong. We are selfish beings. Our own self-interest conflicts with making the best choice. We attempt objectivity, but inevitably we fail. We’re human. Selfishness is part of the human condition. God isn’t battling the human condition. He created us. He understands us. He loves us.
In front of our house are two parking spaces. The asphalt has no name written on it. I feel like the spot is “mine” because it’s in front of “my” house. When I come home and find someone parked in “my” spot, I get angry. I justify my anger. Whoever should know, that’s “my” spot. The parking space is a heart issue with me. God is using this situation to work out my self-righteousness. I’m not objective about the situation, God is.
God is objective.
God reminds me each time, it’s not your personal parking space. Whoever has done nothing wrong. They don’t owe me anything. The problem isn’t theirs, it’s mine. I’m the one with the heart issue. My conscience is not clear. God’s presence in my life nudges me the moment my anger appears. God’s reminder is simple: life doesn’t revolve around you, it revolves around Me.
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccl. 12:13 ESV)
God has a purpose for our lives. We aren’t innocent, even if we can justify our actions. When my husband leaves dirty dishes in the sink AGAIN, my anger towards him feels justified. But that doesn’t mean I’m right. God has a different perspective. Life isn’t about who is right or wrong. Life is about loving God and others to the best of our ability. Instead of resenting my husband for not doing the dishes immediately, I can use it as an opportunity to show love to him. When I do his dishes for him, I’m showing him love. Often, he doesn’t even notice I’ve done them, but God does.
“So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4 NIV)
God knows whether our actions are selfish or not. He is the one who judges our conscience. When we follow His promptings, we’ll do the right thing. We may think we’re right, but we’re not. God is our objective judge whose promptings give us a clear conscience.
Question of the Day:
Has God given you a clear conscience?
Further Reading: Ezra 7:1-8:20 NIV, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 NIV, Psalm 30:1-12 NIV, Proverbs 20:28-30 NIV
