Accepted by God and Keeping A Good Conscience -- Zac Poonen -- August 21, 2022
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/accepted-by-god-and-keeping-a-good-conscience River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true acceptance by God is based solely on Christ's finished work, not on personal good works or moral comparison. The speaker urges listeners to return to the foundation of grace found in Romans, recognizing that all people, regardless of perceived goodness, are equally sinful. Spiritual growth requires a constant, humble pursuit of Christ-likeness, leading to the discovery of previously unknown sins.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Are you sure Christ has accepted you?As believers press on toward perfection, it is easy to feel condemned and lose the assurance that Christ has accepted them.
Our acceptance is not based on good worksReligions teach that God weighs good works against bad, but Christians must realize that comparing ourselves to others or trusting our works is a trap.
Starting at rock bottomEveryone starts as a child of Adam with no inherent righteousness, and recognizing this truth frees us from self-righteous comparisons.Romans 3:10–11
How do we measure spiritual growth?Spiritual growth is seen in discovering hidden attitudes and sins we never knew we had, moving beyond kindergarten-level goodness.
Nothing good dwells in the fleshEven the apostle Paul recognized that nothing good dwells in his flesh, and only those passionate to be like Jesus will discover this.
The danger of justifying yourselfAlways having a reason or excuse for our wrong behavior is detestable in the sight of God and keeps us from growing.Luke 16:15
Learning from the Israelites in the wildernessJust as the Israelites wandered because they listened to fear instead of God, believers often stay stuck by looking to themselves instead of trusting God.
The conscience is the lamp of the bodyThe conscience operates in the human spirit primarily to deal with sin, and a clear conscience fills the whole body with light.Luke 11:34
Walking in the light brings cleansingThe condition for fellowship with God and cleansing from all sin is simply walking in the light as He is in the light.1 John 1:7
Zacchaeus cleared his conscienceWhen the light of God shone into Zacchaeus's heart, he immediately confessed his wrongs and made restitution to those he had cheated.
Be reconciled before offering your prayerIf your conscience reminds you that you have hurt someone, you must stop praying, go make it right first, and then offer your prayer.Matthew 5:23–24
Do not harden your conscienceRepeatedly suppressing the voice of the conscience can cause it to stop speaking altogether, leading to a dangerous spiritual blindness.
