Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– James H. Aughey
Everyone Knows
The truth that is found in Scripture reveals that even the lost know that what they’re doing is wrong. The Apostle Paul writes, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:15-16). Everyone has a conscience. That means nobody has any excuse before God.
No Excuse
Paul knew that he was once without excuse as he was ravaging the church of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:1-3) and so considered himself the least of all saints and the chief of sinners. What humility. In reality, Paul was probably highly obedient in his life and went where God sent him. How disobedient could Paul be, so often chained to Roman guards? Who was once the church’s greatest enemy became the churches greatest blessing. Paul wrote that the lost only “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:16) since “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20).
Good and Evil
Almost every culture on the planet has certain moral laws where society punishes those who break the laws. So even without a written law, it is just as Paul says: “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (Romans 2:15). None of us are good in ourselves (Romans 3:10-12), but a good God has allowed evil on His Son, Jesus Christ, but for our benefit (John 3:16). Sadly, “’there is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48:22). Not so for the children of God, who are at peace with God (Romans 5:1, 8:1).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is called the Holy Spirit, possibly because His work is to help us grow in holiness. This doesn’t mean complete holiness, which isn’t possible this side of heaven (Romans 7), but growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and having our minds renewed by the Spirit of God (Romans 12:1-2). Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said that “when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8), but He will also speak to us when we’re thinking about sinning. We never want to suppress that prompting by the Spirit because if you resist the Spirit, the conviction may be harder to notice the next time. Then if it leads to sin, you’ll have a harder time hearing the voice of God through your conscience. That’s not good.
Conclusion
God does speak through His Spirit. Not in an audible voice because the real voice of God would make us all fall to the ground in sheer terror. God whispers, somewhat, through our conscience; but sometimes He yells, “No, don’t do that!” It’s His job and I don’t want to interfere.
