The start of verse three is a parenthetical comment, but it certainly packs a punch and worthy of our attention. Paul served God with a pure conscience. We must know how anyone can serve God with a pure conscience, and then do what he does.
First, Paul served God faithfully. He lived to serve God. He delighted to serve God and wasn’t condemned for doing the right thing with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason. You can feel the weight of condemnation when you are going through the motions, and still playing the part.
Secondly, Paul formed his life and ministry to God’s commands. There was nothing, as far as he could know and perceive, in his life and service to the Lord that was wrong or unscriptural. Paul did what he believed to be correct. Paul followed Jesus in what he knew to be right and would not waver. This doesn’t mean Paul was perfect, but his conscience was clear in what he did for the service of Jesus. He didn’t let things slide because they were unpopular, or do things that were wrong to build his profile. Paul knew what he believed and stood firm in what he knew was right, with no compromise.
But doesn’t that mean Paul was perfect?
No, it means Paul repents of his sins and his failings. He doesn’t say that he serves in sinless perfection, but with a pure conscience. He doesn’t have sin hanging over his head. He doesn’t have secrets hidden deep within his soul. When we sin and when we fail, we must repent and ask forgiveness of both God and man. The mistake most men make is to double down on their failures or mistakes. We fail in ministry then make it worse by trying to justify our sin. Or, we sin against a brother and make it worse by adding to the first sin, a second of lying and a third of bitterness. Perhaps a fourth, getting in the pulpit with a heart of unforgiveness. All men make mistakes, but a true man will admit them and make corrections and seek forgiveness.
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