5 TH ADDRESS: AGAPE … OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE

SELF DECEPTION YOUR CONSCIENCE LIFE EXPERIENCES LOWER COURT SPIRITUAL RESOURCES HUMAN RESOURCES UPPER COURT STATUS QUO CHANGE SPIRITUAL VALUES AGAPE HELP The Workings of a GOOD Conscience. A GOOD CONSCIENCE

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: Conscience is not an end in itself. It is designed to be supportive of the development of AGAPE.

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 1 Cor 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. AGAPE is not easy to come by. People regularly mistake it for works of charity. One could sacrifice his/her life in vain. AGAPE can only be defined by the Scriptures.

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The quality of our Consciences is directly related to our intake of the word of God. From the knowledge we gain from the Word of God, our Conscience is able to evaluate our motives.

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 1 Samuel 24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 1 Sam 24:16-17 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. This was an act motivated by Conscience. It was based on a deep respect for the ethics established by God. It vindicates the Word of God and shows the effects that AGAPE can have in our life.

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. To do this requires a deep respect for the Word of God. It is an act of Conscience. It results in the development of AGAPE. A good conscience can guide us through the most difficult times in our life.

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 1 John 4:7-9 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. The word ‘love’ used here is AGAPE. Our ‘love’ is a response to the ‘love’ that God first showed to us. Based on a deep appreciation of the Love that God has shown in what He has done for us...

AGAPE – OUT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 1 John 4:10-12 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Our consciences are exercised to so love one another. It is basic to our Divine family to be so inclined and exercised.

OUT OF CONSCIENCE! Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”