Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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17 Nov 11
Late greetings, special people.
We just returned from a Teen Challenge Thanksgiving celebration in Portland. It rained all the way there, all the way home, and I hear is beating on the roof right now. And it rained for a good share of the day. The only good thing about that is that it is being translated as snow at higher elevations.
My head is definitely not up to doing much thinking right now. My addiction to sleep is kicking in. So have a good night.
Love, Dad/Ray.
17 November 2011
Job 27
Focus: “I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.” Job 27:6.
By examining the exterior of Job, we have no choice but to conclude he’s a mess!—he’s living amidst deplorable conditions. But this window into his interior which he opens to us at the beginning of this chapter would indicate to me that he’s residing in a mansion!—a dwelling place to be envied—a state of being many, if not most, never know. He is demonstrating what I like to call CLEAN CONSCIENCE CHRISTIANITY. And that’s the only brand of faith that I choose to embrace.
Please give attention to Job’s claim to a clear conscience contained in verses 2 through 6. Underline it in your Bible. Print it and hang it on your refrigerator. Paint it on your wall. However you do it, please remember it and allow Job’s faith to be a standard you value and pursue at heart level. “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me,
the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live” (Job 27:2-6).
I would define a CLEAR CONSCIENCE as a personal confidence that no one can legitimately accuse me of wrongs against God or man that I have not sought to make right, either by seeking forgiveness and/or restitution. Such a conscience is no accident—it’s not natural. The default setting of the human heart is GUILT. A clear conscience calls for focused attention and decisive action.
Rather than attempt a lot of commentary here, let me simply cite several scriptures that address the importance of a clear conscience.
“Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, ‘My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day’” (Acts 23:1-2).
“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16).
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace” (2 Corinthians 1:12-13).
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk” (1 Timothy 1:5-7).
“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (1 Timothy 1:18-20).
“They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9-10).
“…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22-23).
“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way” (Hebrews 13:18-19).
“But 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
I’ve been influenced by a quip that says, “When we die, we leave behind all we have and take with us all we are.” To be sure, our conscience is an integral part of what we are.
“A conscience is something that can hurt when everything else feels terrific.”