1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience and living a life according to the Gospel is a powerful defense and recommendation of the Gospel.
John Gill emphasizes the significance of maintaining a good conscience, which is transformed through the sanctification of the Spirit and the blood of Jesus. He explains that a good conscience leads to a life that reflects the teachings of the Gospel, requiring both internal faith and external profession. Gill highlights that despite being falsely accused by others, a humble and sincere demeanor can lead to shame for those who speak ill of believers. Ultimately, living according to a good conscience serves to defend and recommend the doctrines of the Gospel.
Text
Ver. 16. Having a good conscience,.... Meaning not the faculty of the conscience itself, which is naturally evil, and defiled with sin, and is only made good by the sanctification of the Spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, by which the heart is sprinkled from it, and that itself purged from dead works; but a life and conversation according to the dictates of such a conscience, in the uprightness and sincerity of it, and by the grace of God, and according to the Gospel, and whereby the doctrines of it are adorned; for, as besides internal sanctification of God, or a fearing of him, and believing in him with the heart, there must be a profession of him with the mouth, and a reason of faith and hope given verbally, when there is an occasion for it; so to both must be added a conscientious discharge of duty, both to God and men, which is one way of defending and recommending the doctrines of the Gospel:
that whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers; as vain, proud, haughty, and arrogant persons, as seditious men, enemies to order and civil magistracy; as such that speak evil of dignities, and despise government; when they shall see your modest and humble deportment in the world, and before them, and with what reverence and esteem you treat them:
they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ; which was in consequence of their being in Christ, and made new creatures by him, and was as became his Gospel, and by and under the influence of his grace and Spirit.
Sermon Outline
- I. Having a Good Conscience
- A. Not just a faculty, but a life and conversation according to the dictates of conscience
- B. Adorned by the Gospel and the grace of God
- C. A conscientious discharge of duty to God and men
- II. The Consequences of Speaking Evil
- A. They speak evil of you as of evildoers
- B. But your modest and humble deportment will shame them
- III. The Power of Good Conversation
- A. It is a defense and recommendation of the Gospel
- B. It is a result of being in Christ and made new creatures by him
Key Quotes
“Having a good conscience,.... Meaning not the faculty of the conscience itself, which is naturally evil, and defiled with sin, and is only made good by the sanctification of the Spirit, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, by which the heart is sprinkled from it, and that itself purged from dead works;” — John Gill
“when they shall see your modest and humble deportment in the world, and before them, and with what reverence and esteem you treat them:” — John Gill
“they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ;” — John Gill
Application Points
- You can defend the Gospel by having a good conscience and a conscientious discharge of duty to God and men.
- Your good conversation can be a powerful witness to others and shame those who falsely accuse you.
- Being in Christ and made new creatures by him is the source of good conversation and a defense of the Gospel.