Role of Conscience- 1-13-13

 ¹⁴ However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (Acts 24:14-16) 

Thoughts: Our conscience is important, but conscience is not sacrosanct, nor our God.  Our consciences can be hardened (as in Pharaoh) and corrupted (as in Judas).  Calvin said, "The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul."  The test of a good conscience is a god-informed conscience.  We get a god-informed conscience by the scriptures.  So Paul, strives to keep his conscience clear of guilt, shame, and blame.  Jiminy Cricket's advice to "always let your conscience be your guide" only works when our conscience is strong and informed by a good and tested authority. 

Prayer: Lord, give me grace and strength to have a clear conscience before you.  

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We confess that God alone is Lord of the conscience, but this

freedom is for the purpose of allowing us to be subject always
and primarily to God’s Word. The Spirit will never prompt
our conscience to conclusions that are at odds with the Scriptures
that He has inspired. The revelation of the incarnate
Word does not minimize, qualify, or set aside the authority of
the written Word. We are happy to confess ourselves captive
to the Word of God, not just individually, but also as members
of a community of faith, extending through time and around
the globe. In particular, we join with other members of the
Presbyterian and Reformed community to affirm the secondary
authority of the Book of Confessions as a faithful exposition of
the Word of God.