Richard Roberts – Third of four parts
Some people believe that a good conscience is simply an excuse for a poor memory. A strong definition of conscience is “the instrument of discernment within the inner soul to determine right from wrong in a spiritual matter.”
Reason will justify what conscience condemns. “Well, it’s all right. Everybody else is doing it. Everybody else at my job is saying that word. No one else is giving their witness. No one else is talking about Jesus on the job. I’ll just be a little closet Christian over here.”
Suddenly our conscience allows us to put Jesus on the back burner. The next thing we know we’ve forgotten Him, and then we’re not going to church as often. Then we become so involved in other things, the Lord is suddenly out of our lives. We wonder where God went when He didn’t actually go anywhere. We were the ones who left Him.
A man and his wife were driving down the road, and he was on his side of the car and she was on her side. “Honey, when we were first married, we loved each other so much that we sat together in the car,” she said. “I’d sit right next to you while you were driving. But over the years, something has happened. Look at you. There you are behind the wheel, and here I am over here on this side of the car.” He said, “Honey, I haven’t moved. I’m right here behind the wheel.”
That is how we are many times with God. We think, “God, where did You go?” God has not moved. In fact, He said in His Word, “I don’t move.” He also said, “I don’t change. I am the Lord. I change not.” We’re the ones who change. And many times, reason will justify what our conscience will condemn.
Many a Christian today is trampling on their conscience. When we come to the realization that we’ve moved away from God, repentance is in order. Remember, repentance is a change of mind so God can change the heart.
