In part 1 (see previous post), it was shown that the conscience essentially consists of the immediate perception, in individual consciousness, of moral truth, and that from the Spirit of God. It therefore seems safe to say that, in a real sense, God is the voice of the conscience. Scripture further indicates that to be the case.
To begin with, truth is something more than mere facts: truth is a Spirit (John 14:17; 1John 4:6). The Bible states, moreover, that the world (of unsaved persons) "cannot receive [the Spirit of truth], because it seeth him not neither knoweth him" (John 14:17). The Spirit of truth, then, is both separate from, and external to, unregenerate souls.
Nevertheless, the Spirit of truth (the Holy Ghost: see, John 14) carries out a most needful ministry to the unsaved. Jesus said that "he [the Spirit of truth] will reprove [correct, admonish, rebuke] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). But how can the Holy Ghost reprove the unsaved, concerning sin, etc., if the unsaved "cannot receive" the Holy Ghost, that is, the Spirit of truth? The answer is obvious: although the unsaved cannot receive the Spirit of truth Himself, yet they can and do receive--by means of their conscience--the witness of the Spirit of truth, concerning moral judgment.
functions of conscience
The functions of conscience are explicit, namely, to "reprove", that is to admonish individual souls, concerning: a) sin, b) righteousness, and c) judgment. The conscience--that is, the witness of the Spirit of truth, stands in righteous judgment over individuals' thoughts and behaviors, revealing to them the wrongfulness of sin and the necessity of right conduct, all the while warning of the certainty of judgment. Of course, it cannot be otherwise, for the voice of the conscience not only bears witness to the truth but it is the very Spirit of truth.
Significant to note, it is not a function of conscience to comfort or console any individual engaged in sin.
It is now possible to show how that the conscience (of the unsaved) is really an ally of the Christian who bears witness of Christ, to unsaved persons. For, the Spirit of truth bears witness to the Truth. Thus, the conscience of unbelievers testifies--within themselves--that the Christian's testimony is true.
what kind of message activates the conscience?
Not every 'message', however, is capable to activate the conscience. Recall, that the functions of conscience do not involve giving comfort or consolation to sinners. The voice of the Spirit of truth, in the conscience of the unregenerate, is intended to lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4). Thus, it is not the message of God's love in Jesus Christ, as such, that activates the conscience. The purpose of conscience is to bring sinners under conviction concerning the sinfulness of their deeds, in hope that sinners will thereby be led to understand their need of salvation, in light of the certainty of God's righteous judgment (the truth of which, particulars, the conscience bears witness). Biblical truth involving: a) the righteousness of God's Law; b) God's wrath against sin; c) the Judgment to come; and, d) the Lordship of Jesus Christ: each and all of these truths are related to the functions of conscience and, thus, they are not only capable but they are eminently necessary, in order to activate (engage, involve) the conscience--as an ally in Christian witnessing.
For far too long--and for reasons that are not hard to discern, Christians, generally, have avoided communicating any kind of message that might be perceived by anyone as being offensive. It is not polite. It isn't politically correct. It might cause friction among erstwhile friends and/or family. It might have the effect to 'push them farther away from God'. It might embarrass (the Christian!).
But genuine salvation requires genuine repentance; which requires, in turn, genuine conviction being brought to bear by means of a genuine Gospel message involving--first of all, the sinful condition of the lost, and God's righteous indignation against the same. Only when sinners are brought to see the awful and dangerous condition in which they stand in the sight of God, can they then be helped to appreciate and to desire the sure salvation that God has mercifully provided--to the repentant--in and by Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment