Thought of the Day !!

My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove that I'm right.  It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. – 1 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

Just before this Paul states that he's not concerned with how others evaluate him.  This is because he wasn't there to please them, but instead to show them the mysteries of Christ.  Whether they thought he did a good job or not, or whether they thought he was right or not was not as important to him as pleasing God.  

Today's focus is not on that though.  The part that stood out to me today is verse 4.  Paul says that his conscience is clear.  I think he means that he's done what he believes to be right.  Many people today are faithfully doing what they believe to be right in God's eyes.  I hope each of you who read this have a desire to please God by doing right instead of wrong.  But many who think that they are doing right must be wrong because there are others who believe that they are doing right, and they're views/actions are polar opposites of the other group.  

Confused yet?  Let me share a couple examples.  Some argue that homosexuality is a sin and should be treated as such.  They believe with all their hearts this, which determines their actions.  Others argue that in the times we live in things are different than biblical times and being born homosexual cannot be a sin because God would not do that.  This leads to their actions.  Neither group is meaning to be unChristian (though sometimes the actions born out of this debate can be).  Both sides "consciences" are clear.  They both believe that they are doing what is right.

A more recent debate has been whether or not we should allow Syrian refugees in our country.  Some believe it's the Christian thing to do because we should show love to those in need, while others believe that we might be allowing more evil into our country since many might be disguised ISIS supporters.  Both groups believe that they are doing what God wants (or at least I hope so).  Both cannot be right, but both sides "consciences" are clear with their stance.

Paul said that his conscience was clear, but get this; "but that doesn't prove that I'm right."  Who among us is arrogant enough to say that he or she knows God's will in everything?  Paul finishes by saying that, "It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide."  

I'm not saying we shouldn't stand up for what we believe.  I am, however, saying that we should remember that there is always a possibility that we might be wrong in some things.  Even though our consciences are clear and we believe we have the Truth on our side, let God examine those whom we disagree with.  It's not our job to judge anyway.  And though we might believe our stance to be the right one, we should never stop seeking God's guidance through prayer and the Word, just in case God has something He wants to point out to us about our own beliefs.

In the love of Christ,

greg