The Work of Christ

        

“I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayer's night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:3-4

Paul was writing this letter to Timothy and encouraging him as he kept living out his faith. He wasn’t encouraging Timothy to rely on himself he was reminding him of the power of the Holy Spirit within him. That clear conscience that Paul was referring to wasn’t his own but was the power of the Living God to accomplish what he was sent out to do. His conscience was being reformed into the thoughts of Christ. Paul wrote this letter from prison. Timothy was being sent to remind the church of where the power comes from. Not from them only the Holy Spirit to lead them. They had forgotten and started to look within themselves.

Our conscience is a pretty remarkable thing. God gave us this to help us understand how to live. Even people that don’t believe in God receive this gift. People in general want to do good. We are the ones that choose to rule ourselves instead of letting God rule our hearts and minds. The conscience that God gave us gives us power to allow His thoughts to become ours and live in this world knowing who we belong to. The choice is ours. 

“Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Timothy had a mom and grandma who taught him about God. But at some point Timothy had to begin to take that faith on. Their faith wasn’t going to sustain all that he was called to do. That is the same with us. We can’t just believe someone else’s faith will give us what we need. We have to allow God to begin to build it within our hearts and minds. It is that constant turning my mind to Christ in cooperation with God. But the good news is the Holy Spirit is that Guide and Counselor. Timothy was holding on the word he knew to be true that his mom and grandma had taught him but he was allowing that same Word to become his boldness. Jesus Christ was becoming so real in Timothy that even as Paul sat in prison the Holy Spirit in Timothy was being ignited in him. And even as Paul sat in prison he knew that his joy didn’t come from that it came solely from the Lord. 

He wants me to ask for direction. He wants me to know His ways. He desires that I know His will for me. He wants to know me more than any other person on this earth. And when I spend that time getting to know Him He will turn my obedience into joy. Making Jesus the highest Authority of my conscience allows him to work from the inside out to accomplish what he wants for his glory. 

The Holy Spirit is how I can learn to live in partnership with God. Satan will work hard at getting me to listen to that other voice. But learning to recognize the differences in voices is up to me. My conscience must be turned over every single thought. It is taking His Word and aligning them. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- If there is any excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy- dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Ask the Holy Spirit where you need this truth? 

Father,

Help us to know you more and more EACH day. When we seek you above all else you satisfy all our needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus. We have been given the freedom to know you because of Jesus. Don’t let us dismiss that or take that for granted. Mold us and make us more like you Jesus. Time is short. Don’t let us pass up opportunities. Keep our minds and heart fixed on eternal things. Others need to know that life of living for something so much greater than themselves. Lead us Holy Spirit in your ways. Amen