“[A]nd this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21)
The pledge of a clear conscience: this is what we are striving for in the salvation which is ours in Christ. Are you paying attention to what you are doing? Do you have a clear conscience? We all make mistakes and do things we later regret. The cleansing we are receiving is from the inside out. Are you in the promised cleansing of our Lord? Are you walking with Him now and always? Do you hear and obey when He says, “go and sin no more”?
Lord, I do defend, refute, and pretend that all is well inside when it is not. Guide me out of this darkness and into the light where I am truly working for all that is right and good. You know me better than I know myself. Help me come to the place where I have a clear conscience. Help me live as You would have me live. Guide me in Your goodness to be honest with myself and others.
Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes I think I am starting all over again in the faith. You have led me thus far and I am still in Your promise. Help me to see the benefit of doing good so that by bedtime I may have a clear conscience and sleep the sleep of the just. In Your goodness, lift me up so that I do things that are good simply because they are good. When I fail, help me to be quick to confess and repent. In all things, keep my focus on You. Amen.
