Scripture (KJV) – Romans 2:15-16
“Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
Reflection
God has given mankind something powerful within—the conscience. There are moments when we know something is wrong even before another person confronts us. Something inside begins accusing us, warning us, and telling us that what we are doing is not right.
The dangerous thing is that we can learn to ignore that warning.
When conviction comes and we repeatedly excuse our behavior, the voice of conscience can become easier to disregard. We begin saying, “Everybody does it,” “It isn’t really hurting anyone,” or “God understands.” But excuses do not change God’s standard.
Paul then takes us beyond the conscience to something even more serious: “God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.”
There are secret things in every life that other people may never know. Hidden thoughts. Private conversations. Secret habits. Motives behind actions that appear good on the outside. We may successfully hide those things from family, friends, the church, and the world—but nothing is hidden from God.
That should bring personal conviction.
We sometimes spend more effort protecting our reputation than protecting our relationship with God. We worry about someone discovering what we have done when our greater concern should be that God already knows.
But conviction is also evidence of God’s mercy. When God troubles our conscience through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, He is giving us an opportunity to deal with sin rather than continue hiding it.
For the believer, the answer is confession and repentance. Bring the matter before God, turn from it, and walk again in obedience.
For the person without Christ, there is an even greater issue. One day you will stand before God, and the secrets of your life will not remain secret. Good works cannot erase sin. Religion cannot erase it. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse a sinner.
Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. The One who will one day judge is the same One who today offers salvation.
When your conscience speaks, do not silence it. Let it drive you toward repentance and toward Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know everything about me. Nothing in my heart or life is hidden from You. Search me today and reveal anything I have been hiding, excusing, or refusing to surrender. Keep my conscience tender toward Your Word and help me respond quickly when the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Forgive me for the times I have been more concerned about what people think than about what You know. Give me strength to turn away from sin and walk faithfully with You. Thank You for the forgiveness available through Jesus Christ, and give me a burden to warn others lovingly that a day of judgment is coming. Help me live today with a clean heart before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
