INTRODUCTION

Those with a broad understanding of scripture recognize that charity functions as the peak of Christianity (see 1 Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
See All...). Yet, few students consider the fact that a good conscience is mentioned within the same context (1 Timothy 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
See All...). A good conscience was a key component of Paul’s charge to young Timothy (1 Timothy 1:18-19 [18] This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
See All...). It was also part of Peter’s admonition to the believers to whom he wrote (1 Peter 3:16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
See All...). In Paul’s own life, it was one of his chief concerns to serve the Lord with a good or a pure conscience (1 Timothy 3:9Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
See All...; 2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
See All...). It may require work, but the early believers saw the importance of putting forth the effort to maintain a good conscience.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When we have a good conscience, we have obeyed God and have not offended God nor man. Paul gave some guidelines for a good conscience (Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. [9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
  See All...; 1 Timothy 4:12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
  See All...; Titus 2:1-8 [1] But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: [2] That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. [3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; [4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. [6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. [7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, [8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
  See All...; Titus 3:1-2 [1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, [2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
  See All..., 8). Is your conscience good right now?
• (For everyone): Why is a good conscience so important to the believer who desires to know more of the truth? How does a good conscience help the believer to please the Lord?
• The believers who put away faith and a good conscience were likened to those who were shipwrecked (1 Timothy 1:19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
  See All...). Why is this such a wonderful comparison?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to protect your conscience.
• Thank God for reminding you of the importance of a conscience.

HYMN

TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

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