“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

It is a blessed thing to have a clean conscience - to stand before men openly, before conscience honestly, and before the Judgment Seat of Christ willingly. The Apostle Paul had this clarity, and so must we.

First, it can only be obtained by obedience. We can’t live to serve ourselves without smitten consciences. Our perversions and unfaithfulness will disquiet us. We’ll say, “Everyone is human,” but the guilt will enter in.

No, some are different. We have our faults honestly confessed and repented from. We don’t walk in them! When God reproves us, day by day, we change, so that we have a conscience free from offence [Acts 24:16.]

We preach Christ purely and walk uprightly. Therefore, we are willing to stand before men; it is very small. We are willing to look in the mirror and thank Christ for faithfulness. We are ready to meet God open breasted, because we serve Him now.

Secondly, how is it with you? Do you honestly walk with God, as if He is looking at you now? Are you ready to expose your heart, like Peter, “Lord, You know that I love you?”

I spoke to someone recently who admitted they’d choose fornication, even if it meant hell, but that’s not a clean conscience! Admitting your sin without repentance means nothing… other than you’re a bigger fool for doing it anyway.

This clean conscience is repentance and forgiveness, and it can be had. He can blot out all that you’ve done, until joy rules you, peace abides, and obedience is the fruit. He can send the Spirit to change what’s wrong.

Thirdly, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, it will be well with us. All sin is taken away, and nothing remains but good works.

Let’s have a lot of good works, and these are ultimately people that we’ve helped to know God. We don’t get special crowns, other than seeing the souls that we’ve helped, the prayers that we’ve made, and the obedience that we’ve rendered honored. God will reveal how YOU HELPED so and so get to heaven, and this is heaven upon heaven!

If you are living for Christ’s approval, then you build wisely [1 Cor 3:10-15]. You are living for His glory in sincerity and truth.