Daily Reading // 2 Corinthians 1:8-14
READY // SILENCIO
Take a moment to quiet your mind and prepare your heart for your time with the Lord.
READ // LECTIO
Read the passage above up to three times aloud. Allow yourself to feel the words as they are read.
REFLECT // MEDITATIO
Now direct your focus on the words, phrases concepts or sentences that got your attention. What is God speaking to you today through His word?
2 Corinthians 1:12 (NKJV) For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
There is nothing like a clean conscience. That is something to boast about.
Paul and his team had their share of critics. There were people questioning his theology. There were people questioning his methods and motives. There were those who even complained about his poor preaching ability. Most of us can relate.
Paul’s comfort didn’t come from proving them wrong (though he did defend himself). His comfort didn’t come from personal attacks against those who attacked him. Otherwise the New Testament epistles would look like Facebook.
His confidence and defense was a clean conscience. There’s nothing like it. Others can accuse you of all sorts of things. Let them accuse. Just make sure your heart can’t accuse you. Make sure your conscience is for you and not against you.
Do what you truly believe is right, not selfishly right for you but right for others, then let the accusations bounce off you.
But if your conscience is against you, if it tells you those accusations are true and you know it, then you will have no peace.
There is an old English proverb: A good conscience is a soft pillow. Make sure your conscience is clear. Deal honestly with past mistakes and you take away the power of the accuser.
RESPOND // ORATIO
Pray in response to what the Lord has spoken to you.
Jesus, Affirm my conscience, good or bad. Help me to resolve the bad and rest in the good. Amen.
Tomorrow’s reading -> Psalm 37:1-40