HAVE A CLEAR MIND

1John 3:21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

Romans 12:3 

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I remember after a class on grace many years ago I asked the Reverend who led the teaching "What about sin?". The answer was not foolproof but it yet leads to more questions.

The teaching on grace talks of all our sins being taken care of by the one sacrifice, summarily that a believer cannot sin, some go ahead to talk of the sin unto death and the sin not unto death. Others yet, still talk of the condemnation of sin, still basing their point on the sentence on the original sin "the soul that sinneth shall die".

All these have their bases in scriptures.

This morning however we look at the issue of our conscience - our mind.

Not linking in any argument, we need to see that the consciousness of sin would cause major issues in the life of the believer:

* becoming unfruitful in preaching the gospel to others

* asking and not receiving (weak faith)

* not being able to intercede

* not able to shine the light (be an example)

* thinking we are better than others

* selecting sins

We must settle our case with God once and for all. Know Him as He is for us. Yes a Master, King and Lord but more importantly, as our Father!

No priest, pastor or clergy can take His place, no teaching can take the place of the Father in our lives. We must settle our case with Him day after day. Know that you have a relationship with God first before any clergy or group.

2Corinthians 5:10 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

Our conscience must always be clear, so that we may work freely, work profitably and thus minister to others.

1John 3:21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

We must keep our mind free, condemnation is not for us.

Romans 8:1

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit

Let us walk in the Spirit, if we are to do this we must settle every pending case in our heart with the Lord and then let it go.

Yes, we must be careful here so that:

1Timothy 1:19

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

1Timothy 4:2

 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Titus 1:15

 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Many a believer, even ministers have gotten used to lies and evil works, they missed this essential quality.  Our growth spiritually does not destroy our good conscience but solidifies it. We cannot be careless, we cannot be too careful.

Understand temptations:

Temptations would not cease to come, remember what the bible said about the temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness.

Luke's account recorded that:

Luke 4:13

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

The battle is still on, so issues would arise, we must remember He is our Father, we take nothing for granted. We settle it, our minds must be free.

If we are to learn from the great men of old, what made them stand out was that, they were not looking for the good face towards a priest or people but towards God:

Genesis 39:9 

[There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

A laity becomes a liability to their clergy when they refuse to have a personal relationship with the Heavenly Father. Remember Christ call was for souls, the gathering of souls make a church and the church is the bride. Selah

The joy of every christian leader is when the souls that gather are faithful to God and are accepted. A burden is lifted. Remember that it is not only you who battle, they that lead battle also:

Hebrews 13:17-18

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.

This season I see a clear mind, free from guilt, a clear conscience, that does not continue to do wrong. We will arise and be useful to the Father. In all our doings, relationships and work. May we keep a good conscience.

May we dwell in love.

1John 4:21

 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@ the watcher