1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

There is among you some who do not follow His commandments.

That statement in general terms does not point to any one individual. Without being named, is our tendency to react “Not me!” I have been there and done that. This is how I know the ease of casting off guilt with a shrug, hiding in a crowd of faceless people, as if God doesn’t see me.

1 Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Conviction of condition does not usually come with a hot iron. That is saved for those in open rebellion. For the majority of us correction should come as a tiny twinge in our conscience. I say should because if we have a good relationship with our Lord a gentle word should be enough.

Some of us still live with the old man’s conscience that we came to terms with our need for salvation. It served us well then but should be put aside just as we put aside the old man’s ways.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The conscience is a reflection of the heart condition. We have been given a new heart and with it a new conscience, yet in our mind and memories we remember how the old conscience worked. We should learn how this new conscience works just as we have had to learn the ways of our new heart.

In our hearts we know when we are about to sin. The Holy Spirit, our guide, pricks our conscience at the mere thought of sin. Ignoring those little warnings is what leads to scare tissue and if allowed to continue without repentance the beginning of the hardening of the heart.

Ecclesiastes 11:6 (ESV) In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Morning and evening here represent aging in the believer. Sowing the seed of the gospel is a lifelong endeavor. The energy of youth has been replaced with a body which is worn by the years.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The gospel is not affected by time. The gospel is just as fresh and effective no matter what our age. It has vitality when we barely have the strength to speak. The word of life does not weaken.

There is within me a sense of urgency that says I am about to see the finish line ahead of me. As a cross country runner I had spent nearly all my energy enduring but have wanted to save a little something for the final kick sprint coming across the finish line. My shame is in wanting to look good at the finish.

Ephesians 6:19-20 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Chapter 6 is the full armor of God chapter but it is these words that are uttered at the end of that discourse. “These words that are uttered at the end.” These words still have power in them, even if I do not. Boldness isn’t about energy nor age, it is about putting aside every doubt and fear.  The hills and valleys of my course have worn me down but the Word is still fresh.