How can we "hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience"? The Challenge and the Call 1 Timothy 3:9 — “They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” What Is “the Mystery of the Faith”? • The once‐hidden plan now revealed in Christ: • 1 Timothy 3:16 — the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus. • Colossians 1:26-27 — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” • Ephesians 3:4-6 — Gentiles and Jews brought into one body through the gospel. • It is not speculation; it is the settled, Spirit-revealed truth that saves and reshapes us. Why a Clear Conscience Matters • 1 Timothy 1:5 — “love… from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” • 1 Timothy 1:19 — some “rejected and so have shipwrecked their faith.” • Acts 24:16 — Paul “strives always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” • Hebrews 9:14 — the blood of Christ “purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” A clear conscience is the inner assurance that nothing knowingly stands between us and obedience to God’s revealed Word. Practical Ways to Hold the Mystery with a Clear Conscience • Stay anchored in sound doctrine • 2 Timothy 1:13-14 — “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching… guard the good deposit.” • Jude 3 — “contend for the faith once for all entrusted.” • Walk in daily confession and cleansing • 1 John 1:7 — “the blood of Jesus… purifies us from all sin.” • Psalm 139:23-24 — invite God to search the heart. • Obey promptly when Scripture speaks • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • John 14:15 — love proved by obedience. • Guard your thought life • Proverbs 4:23 — “Above all guard your heart.” • Philippians 4:8 — dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure. • Maintain brotherly love and reconciliation • Matthew 5:23-24 — leave the gift, be reconciled first. • Romans 12:18 — live at peace as far as it depends on you. • Serve humbly in the church • Mark 10:45 — the Son of Man came to serve. • 1 Peter 4:10 — use gifts for one another as good stewards. • Stay filled with the Spirit • Ephesians 5:18 — be continuously filled. • Galatians 5:16 — walk by the Spirit to avoid fleshly pitfalls. Daily Safeguards • Scripture intake — regular, prayerful reading and memorizing. • Prayer — honest, ongoing dialogue with the Father. • Fellowship — worship, communion, mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Accountability — trusted believers who speak truth in love (Proverbs 27:17). • Focus on eternity — remembering the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Encouraging Examples • Joseph (Genesis 39) — resisted temptation, kept integrity. • Daniel (Daniel 6) — preferred the lions’ den over a compromised conscience. • Paul (2 Timothy 4:7) — fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. Living the Mystery Today Hold the mystery tightly, not as a private secret but as a public testimony. Let a clear conscience amplify the message so that people see the gospel’s power through a life that is clean, courageous, and consistent. |
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