Romans 2:15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness… The apostle is explaining how the heathen, who had not the written law of God, were yet amenable to an unwritten law impressed on the hearts of all mankind. Their conscience is a witness for or against them. I. ITS NATURE AND OFFICE. 1. God has given man a written law as the supreme standard, whose object is to educate and confirm him in his duty to God and man. This law, however, is — (1) Of late communication. The Old Testament, given only gradually through centuries. The New Testament only when the world was already old. (2) Of only local extent. Before Moses there was none. In St. Paul's day it was known only to the Jews. In our day vast regions and even in our own country too many have no knowledge of it. If, then, there were only God's written law, the mass of men, in the past and still, would have no standard of right and wrong — their passions unchecked. Society would be impossible. 2. But the existence of a written moral law implies an already existing moral sense, or unwritten law. Without this our obedience to any law would want a moral character. It would be either mere training and discipline, or submission to force. There would be no sense of obligation to keep it, no choice of the will and heart in doing so. 3. An unwritten law of God, however, does exist. In every race there is an instinct which — (1) Condemns evil. The judgment day not only in the future. The great white throne, and He that sits on it, are in effect set up in every bosom. No deception is possible. No outward position screens us. (2) Vindicates the right. The answer of a good conscience is the support of the soul under any trial. Of old it sustained the saints in their fiery trials. Fidelity to principle still bears up many a one. It is the greatest solace in the retrospect of life. (3) Is given to receive and act up to the higher teachings of the written law. "By manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." Imposes on us the duty of learning all the bearings of our obligations. II. HINDRANCES TO ITS HEALTHFUL VIGOUR. 1. Ignorance. In savage life, obscured and limited in its range by circumstances. Imperfect conception of relative duties from the struggle for self-preservation. Now long reign of selfish passion. Violence and hereditary darkness. In criminal life amongst ourselves. The child of a thief, what can it know of right and wrong in some directions? 2. Perversion. Education colours our estimate of the character of acts in many cases. Pascal speaks of morality as varying with latitude and longitude. This is seen — (1) In religion. Inquisitors torturing and burning for the greater glory of God. Whitefield defending slavery. Paul thinking he honoured God by helping to stone St. Stephen. (2) In business. Conventional or trade morality. Men do in business what they would shrink from in private life. 3. The seared conscience. The religious faculty may be well-nigh extirpated by neglect; like eyes of cave insects and fishes. 4. The weak conscience. A failing that leans to virtue's side. Troubles itself and others by making a principle of what is really indifferent. The disputes in Paul's Epistles, new moons, eating flesh, Levitical laws, etc. So some object to matters of no moral moment. III. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY CONSCIENCE. 1. It accepts and acts on principle, not its accidental illustration. It guards itself in great matters by fidelity in all. Its rule is, "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much." 2. It is not content with profession, but carries its convictions into practice; not "go" and "went not." 3. It is always humble. Feeling its own weakness and constant need of strength. 4. It is manly. Will not yield to custom, favour, gain. 5. It bases its action on the law of Christ as the ideal of morality. 6. It keeps the example ever before it, and remembers its obligations to honour Him by loyal duty. Conclusion: One may strengthen and enlighten conscience. In any case it grows with the wider realisation of the breadth and sweep of God's law. In our own day it has widened its sphere. Needs still further quickening in each walk of life; especially in the vital matters of the soul. The deputy of the Almighty. Bring your soul before it. As it asks you, "Guilty, or not guilty?" answer. If guilty, repentance and a holy life, looking to the great salvation of Christ, will reverse the verdict. (C. Geikie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) |
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