May 1, 2005 – Confirmation Sunday
“Keep Your Conscience Clear”
1 Peter 3: 12-22
1. A former colleague of mine used to say "If you are going to be liar you better have a good memory!" He knew what he was talking about because he spent an inordinate amount of time going around the office trying to cover up for his shortcomings by finding fault with anyone and everyone in order to draw attention away from himself and his own inadequacies. Do you know people like that? Always pointing out other people’s problems and trying make themselves look good?
He also said "Liars figure and figures lie!" Meaning of course, that if you work at it you can interpret any set of facts to mean whatever you want – this goes on in politics all the time – it seems. Well, eventually it all caught up with him and people got tired of it all and he moved on to another job where he could start all over again trying to make himself look good at others expense..In the book of Proverbs it says: "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." (Proverbs 20:17) That could be our lesson for today.
2. Of course we all are often tempted to lie or decieve others out of a desire to preserve our own reputation or to avoid be punished or blamed. In other words we seek to avoid suffering. But in the end, as most good people know, when we lie the suffering eventually comes back to us when we are found out. Better, it seems, to tell the truth in the beginning even if it hurts.Now, like most of us, the early Christians most likely figured that by seeking God's favor they might obtain a better life. Don’t we all – after all that’s supposed to be part of the deal – isn’t it? If we are good – we get rewarded – right? But they sometimes found that just by being a good Christian did not mean that one would automatically avoid all suffering and trouble in life. In fact, sometimes Christians were ridiculed and even persecuted for just being "good." Can that even happen today?
3. Well, if this seems unfair perhaps it is – at least from a self centered human standpoint. And yet Peter, when he writes his letter to some early Christians – actualy affirms that even in the face of suffering or trouble, we are still blessed because inspite of it all we possesses the truth about God and this is the truth which will save us and protect us in all things. Above all, he says, when we seek the good we are made strong and are able to withstand criticism and suffering for we do so with a "good conscience."
Which brings us to that interesting word we often use – a conscience.
What is it? Do we have one? Raise your hand – how many of you have a conscience? Where does it come from? Do you always follow it? Are you ever tempted to do otherwise? Why?
Why is it easier to sleep on a good conscience than on a bad one?
Why is forgiveness so important when we have erred or someone has caused us harm?
And why does Peter say that our baptism is an appeal to God for a "good conscience?"
4. In our scripture reading for this morning … it says -- 16Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick.
And it says … 21The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience.
Now this passage which is not the easiest to understand is particularly important, however, for this Sunday because it is also Confirmation Sunday. And what is confirmation?
Well, in the very early church there was no confirmation as we know it. But, there was something very similar – it was called Baptism. And through baptism, adults who were called upon to confess their faith in God and Jesus Christ became members of the church.
As we know, nowadays, baptism is mostly for babies … and then, when the babies get to be about 14 years old … on the verge of adulthood … they are confirmed … or, they confirm their baptism … and they become members of the church. So, in a way, it is the same thing …
5. So, how does baptism, or in this case confirmation, create in us a clear conscience?
And what does having a clear conscience do for us … what does it mean for us … and what responsibilities does it bring upon us … and our young people here this morning?
Well, for society in general and in our western culture, the idea of conscience is closely related to coming of age – in other words with the transition from childhood to adulthood. In fact, in terms of our legal system – adolescents are treated differently with respect to crimes committed because they are not deemed to have the same capacity for moral judgment as adults prior to age 18.
For the same reason, children are restricted from holding jobs, driving a car, using alcohol and many other things that require greater moral judgment and maturity. And, for adults, many of whom do not seem to have developed much maturity – the penalties for crimes and misdemeanors are much greater for the expectation is that adults will have a better sense of right and wrong than children.
6. However, as most of us know … there is a difference between knowing what is right and wrong and doing it … isn’t that right.
We also know that there is no end to the ways people try to get around the law – whether is not paying taxes all the way to huge corporate scandals like the Enron case.
Unfortunately, deception is all too common in our society, we must admit, despite the fact that people know or are supposed to know what is right and wrong. A disturbing reality for who has not echoed the words of Psalm 12. I read to you from the Eugene Peterson version:
1Quick, GOD, I need your helping hand! The last decent person just went down, all the friends I depended on are gone. 2Everyone talks in lie language; Lies slide off their oily lips. They doubletalk with forked tongues. 3Slice their lips off their faces! Pull the braggart tongues from their mouths! 4I'm tired of hearing, "We can talk anyone into anything! Our lips manage the world."
Into the hovels of the poor, into the dark streets where the homelesss groan, God speaks: "I've had enough; I'm on my way to heal the ache in the heart of the wretched." 6God's words are pure words, Pure silver words refined seven times in the fires of his word--kiln, Pure on earth as well as in heaven. 7GOD, keep us safe from their lies, from the wicked who stalk us with lies, 8From the wicked who collect honors for their wonderful lies.
Sadly, it seems that having a conscience and following it is not always the way it is with a lot of people.
7. We talked about this yesterday … in our last Confirmation meeting … and tried to answer some questions wuch as what is our conscience and where does it come from?
Most agreed that we all have one … and that it seems to be a mysterious thing … a voice … that seems to be within us … yet it is also apart from us … an experience we have all had …And sometimes it makes us uncomfortable … so much so that sometimes we ignore it … or would rather ignore it … so it is not exactly something we have control over … what, then, is it?
Some thought it reminded them of the story of Pinocchio … you know … the story about the lonely woodcarver, Geppato, who makes a wooden boy (a marionette) which magically comes to life. Sooner or later, the boy, Pinocchio, wishes he could be a real, live boy and truly become Geppato's son. In the end, of course, after Pinocchio learns the importance of love, honesty and obedience, his wish really comes true.
In the Walt Disney Version, Jiminy Cricket plays the part of Pinocchio’s conscience. Like any conscience, Jiminy is occasionally late on the job and frequently ignored even when he is around. Fortunately, however, Jiminy is nothing if not persistent and he eventually succeeds in steering Pinocchio back to the right path.
8. So, in a way, the story is really about the coming of age of Pinocchio as it would be for any young boy/or girl … who though wooden to start with (or immature)… by learning not to lie and by listening to his/her own conscience, eventually becomes a truly loving and honest human being.
A story for all of us … perhaps … don’t you think? For like most fairy tales … it is not just for the amusement of children.
So, as we talked about this some more … I suggested … that (as good Methodists) we also understand that our conscience is not just a matter of the mind and of knowing right and wrong but also of the heart.
For, as I have said, it is one thing to know right from wrong and another to do it … and that takes will power … and courage … and awareness … which along with John Wesley … we would say is a matter of heart. God’s truth, we would say, “is in the heart.”
9. Which leads me to the final point … and that is that apart from God our conscience is not always a reliable guide … or so we are to understand from! 1 Peter.
This is because, as I suggested, just doing the right thing … just being honest … is not always easy … for it may not always mean doing what everyone else does … or going along with the crowd … it may not be the most popular thing, sometimes …and it may even, as Peter suggests, involve suffering …
“For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong.” As Peter points out.
So, in the end, having a conscience is not just a matter of our own doing … but a matter of having a relationship with God … of being open to God’s will in prayer … and worship … and in Bible study … and in witnessing about our faith to one another … and being open to that still small voice which is always within us …
10. Now, as we all know, real character development takes many things … and these include parents and family … church … teachers … and this morning we especially want to show appreciation to all of those here today who have had a part in shaping the lives of these young people … especially, for my part, I want to thank Patti Kastella, Tony Nicholson, and Kristin McRae who have volunteered to teach Confirmation this past year … and to Kari Knudson who has helped coordinate the program … and to Mindy Bowman and Mark Schultz who went along on our big annual confirmation trip to the cities and had great time, as well, as we always do …
And beyond that I want to hold up our whole church in general and the other parents and all the other teachers --- and say to you that you can all be proud of these young people … all of whom who have come up through our church’s Sunday school program … all of whom are great kids … and all of whom are persons of “good conscience” –
Well, “At least most of the time!!!”
For, after all, let us be honest, John Wesley never said we are perfect … only that we are supposed to be moving on to perfection in love …
And that is our goal …
For we must understand that our conscience … in reality … is not merely something of our own creation … but it is – we affirm as Christians people --- really the work of God’s Holy Spirit – which is in the world … and lives and dwells within us … and is our sure guide to doing God’s will in our lives and in the world …
And that is the blessing …which God has bestowed on these persons … for it is not something entirely of our own doing or of their doing alone … but it is the recognition of the great work that God is constantly about … in creating each one of us … and sustaining us … that we might always be people of "good conscience" praising God … and in loving one another as Christ has loved us …
Let us pray …
