"The Voice from Within"

“The Voice from Within”

Since 1811 the United States Treasury Department has maintained a Conscience Fund. It began with $5 from someone who presumably had cheated Uncle Sam in some way. Since then about $6 million has been deposited. The most noteworthy addition to the Fund was $1000 from a citizen who said he couldn’t sleep because he’d cheated on his taxes but added, “If I still can’t sleep I’ll send you the balance.” And a conniving character on an old TV show said, “Me and my conscience got an agreement. It don’t bother me and I don’t bother it!” (This may be a funny line in a sitcom but it’s anything but in real life relationships.) So there’s a big difference between what the Apostle Paul calls a clear conscience (1 Corinthians 4:2) and one which is seared (or rendered insensitive—1 Timothy 4:2).

Our English term comes from a Greek compound word meaning literally knowing together or co-perception. It’s a moral awareness based on a standard. After Adam’s and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden they knew they had done wrong before God and tried to hide from Him (Genesis 3). Later on it’s seen in David’s response to his sin surrounding Bathsheba (Psalm 51). And it’s our conscience which tells us we’ve done wrong in God’s sight and renders us guilty before Him (“Even when {those}, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.”—Romans 2:14-15, NLT, emphasis added). In each case cited the standard is God’s truth.

Theologian Alfred Rehwinkle observed, “Conscience is a wonderful gift of God. It is a guardian of morality, justice and decency in the world.” Paul writes, “I am speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience (enlightened and prompted) by the Holy Spirit bearing witness with me….” (Romans 9:1, Amplified, emphasis added). It’s this voice from within that assures us that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16) and as His people redeemed by faith in Christ His Spirit lives within us and spurs our conscience “…that we may serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14).

We ignore our inner voice to our peril (“…Nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.”—Titus 1:15, NLT). How much better to “…strive always to keep (one’s) conscience clear before God and (people).” (Acts 24:16)! That’s the path which brings His blessing (Psalm 24:3-5).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Let Me Get This Straight"

“Let Me Get This Straight”

(Thanks to Karen for another title when I drew a blank)

In math terms a straight line is the shortest distance between two points. When I first heard this in junior high (now known as middle school) I thought of a road on Long Island called Straight Path. It went through a then rural area of Suffolk County for about eight miles with nary a curve and few crossroads. I haven’t used it in 50+ years so doubt if travel on it is as easy now as in yesteryear. (To bring the Straight Path principle more up to date, Highway 471 near Lakeland goes some 25 miles with few if any bends. So keep a close eye on that speedometer!)

The Greek word translated straight means good course. It’s used twice with reference to Paul’s journeys when he “…sailed straight….” (Acts 16:11; 21:1)—in other words, there was no deviation from focusing on the destination. Interestingly, a form of the word appears often in the gospels (especially in Mark—41 times according to Bible Teacher Warren Wiersbe) and is usually rendered “at once” or “immediately”, suggesting no delay in response or result. It’s also employed to express a standard God has set—in 2 Peter 2:15 we’re told that false teachers “…have left the straight way and wandered off….” So God’s ways are not only right but “Just and true….” (Revelation 15:3).

In Psalm 5:8 David asked God to “…make straight your way before me.” A generation later his son Solomon wrote, “…In all your ways acknowledge (the Lord), and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6). A paraphrase might be, “He will put you on the right path as you seek His guidance.” But if I think my way is best I need to remember that “…the way of the unfaithful is hard.” (Proverbs 13:15).

When we’re confused over what someone tells us we might say, “Let me get this straight”. Put another way, we want to be clear about what we’re hearing. We can say the same about following God’s ways. As we do, we’ll find ourselves on the “straight and narrow” path because “…his way is perfect….” (Psalm 18:30). And there’s no place I’d rather be!

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Be Quiet and Listen"

“Be Quiet and Listen”

I recently read through Leviticus during my devotional time which brought to mind a college friend who took an elective on this overlooked book. When I asked him why he chose this course he said, “It’s a book I’d never study on my own.” He was probably right—how many of us have ever looked seriously at it with all the details of the sacrificial system and other aspects of the religious life of God’s people? Interestingly, though, a pastoral colleague once told me of one of his seminary professors who thought Leviticus was the Bible’s most important book because God speaks more in it than in any other part of the Scriptures. This shows us that we must learn to see God’s Word through His eyes, not our own, and that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the (people) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, emphasis added).

In my Bible reading some 25 years ago I made a note of each time prayer was mentioned or indicated. As I read through Leviticus I was amazed that I found no reference to prayer in the entire book (although it comes up often in the rest of the Pentateuch). It’s as if God were saying, “Just be quiet and pay attention to me for a while” (or, as Gen. Burkhalter said to Col. Klink on “Hogan’s Heroes”, “Shut up and listen!”). Solomon put it this way: “(There’s) a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

We’re reminded that the tendency to pray is always to be a part of us (“…pray continually….”—1 Thessalonians 5:17) but it’s difficult to listen while we’re talking. (Failing to recognize this principle has fueled many an argument.) There are times, then, that we must be quiet before God and listen to His voice through the Scriptures, His Spirit’s prompting within us or His people in order to have two-way communication with Him. So let’s heed the counsel of our Lord’s brother: “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak….” (James 1:19).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"When All Else Fails...."

“When All Else Fails….”

Have you ever been in such a hurry to finish a project that you didn’t consult instructions (or your wife—Karen’s unsolicited editorial) and ended up with a mess on your hands because “I didn’t have time!”? (I’ve just stepped on my own toes.) Longtime UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (see the previous posting “The Star of the Church” for a glimpse at his philosophy of life and leadership) once asked, “If you don’t have time to do a job right the first time how will you find the time to do it a second time?” This brings to mind the old but still valuable saying, “When all else fails, read the directions.”

How often have I (and maybe you) fallen into the trap of moving ahead without bothering to read God’s directions as given in His Word! Our Lord’s brother warns against making plans without considering God’s desires for us in these words: “…You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:15, emphasis added). Taking time to pray and consult Scripture can keep us from rash actions and the resulting consequences. Even Israel’s godly leader Joshua experienced an unexpected defeat at Ai because he failed to ask for God’s help after He gave the great victory at Jericho (see Joshua 6 and 7). Several months before Moses had died and Joshua was appointed by God to lead the nation in possessing the Promised Land. In the face of this enormous task God encouraged Joshua by telling him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5). But He placed responsibility on His servant: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8, emphasis added). Joshua learned from his sin of omission and in God’s strength led His people to victory.

The psalmist saw God’s Word as “…a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105). As our headlights illuminate the road ahead of us on a dark night Scripture gives us direction on life’s journey. But it can’t help us if we fail to read, heed and obey.

When all else fails, read God’s unfailing directions.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan