GOOD CONSCIENCE - Part 4

RESPONDING IN GOOD CONSCIENCE – Part 4

Monday, October 21, 2013

                John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

1Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

  What happens when a person refuses God’s provision for living in good conscience grounded in His Truth?

  The Apostle Paul expressed this concern as stated in 1Corinthians 9:27. Was he reflecting on the life of Moses? I suspect so.  Paul spoke not of losing eternal life. He was concerned about as one country preacher explained to me “Being shelved until death as happened with Moses.”

  The people again complaining to Moses, said “Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us into this terrible place? This is no place to plant crops. Even figs, grapes, and pomegranates won't grow here. And there's no water to drink!" Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. The LORD said to Moses, "Take your staff, then you and your brother Aaron gather the community. Right before their eyes, tell the rock to give up its water. In this way you will give the community water from the rock for them and their animals to drink." Moses took his staff out of the tent in the LORD'S presence as he had been commanded. Then Moses and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock and said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock for you?" Moses raised his hand and [angrily] hit the rock twice with the staff. Water came pouring out, and all the people and their animals drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "You didn't trust me! You didn't show the Israelites how holy I am! So you will not bring this congregation into the land I'm giving them." (GW Num.20:5-12; also note Ex.2:11-14; King Saul, 1Sam.28:1-25; King David, 2Sam.12:1-14)

  But what of the unsaved, those in John 3:18 unredeemed lost condition?

  Though God is longsuffering and would have it that none would perish (2Pet.3:9) . . . if persisting in rejecting The Word, He may give them over to  reprobate mind (Rom.1:28) with their consciences numbed to the point of having lost all feeling (1Tim.4:2).

  Any questions?  EBB4