Topical Bible: Faith: Saints should Hold, With a Good Conscience

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Faith, a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is through faith that believers are justified and live in accordance with God's will. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith with a good conscience, highlighting the integral relationship between belief and moral integrity.

Faith and Conscience

The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, underscores the necessity of holding onto faith with a good conscience. In 1 Timothy 1:19 , he warns, "holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith." This passage illustrates the peril of neglecting a good conscience, which can lead to the destruction of one's faith. A good conscience acts as a moral compass, guiding believers to live in a manner that is pleasing to God and consistent with their faith.

The Role of Conscience in Faith

The conscience is an inner witness that discerns right from wrong, informed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is essential for believers to nurture a conscience that is sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, as it helps in maintaining a pure and sincere faith. Paul, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, declares, "I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day" (Acts 23:1). This statement reflects the apostle's commitment to aligning his actions with his faith, ensuring that his conscience remains clear before God.

Faith in Action

Faith, when held with a good conscience, manifests in actions that reflect the teachings of Christ. James, the brother of Jesus, writes, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26). This underscores the necessity of a living faith, one that is evidenced by works of righteousness and love. A good conscience propels believers to act in accordance with their faith, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

Challenges to Maintaining Faith with a Good Conscience

Believers face numerous challenges in maintaining faith with a good conscience. The world, with its temptations and moral relativism, often stands in opposition to the principles of the Christian faith. Paul warns Timothy of those who have "seared their own conscience" (1 Timothy 4:2), indicating the danger of becoming desensitized to sin. To counteract this, Christians are called to immerse themselves in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, thereby strengthening their faith and conscience.

Encouragement for the Saints

The Scriptures provide encouragement for believers to persevere in faith with a good conscience. Hebrews 10:22 exhorts, "let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." This invitation to draw near to God is a reminder of the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice, which purifies the conscience and empowers believers to hold fast to their faith.

In summary, faith, when held with a good conscience, is a dynamic and living expression of the believer's relationship with God. It requires vigilance, commitment, and a continual reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain. Through faith and a good conscience, saints are equipped to navigate the challenges of life, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel in both word and deed.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name ...
... is the form of sound words which we should hold fast, 2 ... day come that the head-spring
of faith shall be ... of God, which shall overflow all the saints' graces in ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon i and this is.htm

On the Invocation of Saints
... is not necessary, that believers now living upon earth should invoke the saints
who reign ... two arguments, (1.) Since "whatever is not of faith," that is ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 24 on the invocation.htm

Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
... for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a ... fourth verse of Psalm 4, which
comforts saints and strengthens ... not a man to abide in his faith and good ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifth sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Concerning Perseverance, and the Possibility of Falling from Grace ...
... kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ... we should affirm it never
attainable, then should there never be a place known by the saints in this ...
/.../proposition ix concerning perseverance and.htm

Prison Meditations Directed to the Heart of Suffering Saints and ...
... was souls to save, By preaching grace and faith; Of which ... Here come the angels, here
come saints, Here comes the ... I am most free that men should see A hole cut ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/prison meditations directed to the.htm

That a Good Will Should not Always be Attributed to Grace, nor ...
... is sufficiently absurd and altogether alien from the Catholic faith. ... their heart,
and be turned and I should heal them ... refer all the merits of the saints to the ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xii that a good.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... most rewards until He glorifies saints after this life ... of this opinion, taught the
righteousness of faith. ... article, which all Christians should hold and believe ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

Easter Sunday
... Christian Church is to be advocated which should be in ... The sins of the saints, according
to him, are the ... They who resist their sinful lusts retain faith and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
... the parts of the definition separately: I should think that ... Paul as ability "to
comprehend with all saints what is ... that what our mind embraces by faith is every ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 of faith the.htm

The Eleventh Chapter: the Body of Christ and Sacred Scripture are ...
... in faith, strengthened by the example of the saints. ... doctrine that teaches all the
true faith and firmly ... Single and modest should be the eyes accustomed to ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eleventh chapter the body.htm