“3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.”
2 Timothy 1:3

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Paul begins this letter to Timothy in a way that is meant to encourage, build up and strengthen. Paul is at the end of his life, he is under home incarceration in Rome awaiting trial, and Timothy, his spiritual son, is likely struggling with the state of affairs in Paul’s life. Reading through the next few verses, we are reminded that Timothy’s own biological father has has nothing to do with his spiritual upbringing. Paul stands in that role, alongside his faithful mother and grandmother, as those who invested in his life in the Name of Christ. This is no casual relationship. Paul stands as a mentor, a guide in the things of Christ, for Timothy in life and in his role as a minister of the gospel. It is no wonder that Timothy is in need of encouragement. 

And so Paul begins this letter letting him know that His service to God has been done and is still being done with a clear conscience. For Timothy, who is likely asking questions in his heart about why Paul is suffering as he awaits his trial before Nero Caesar (not a bright prospect) and whether or not Paul has slipped up somehow to ‘deserve’ this, or if this is some form of punishment for him, Paul reminds him that his suffering is being completed in faithfulness, just as his ministry & mission was completed in that same faithfulness. Nothing but location and circumstance has changed for Paul. And even in his suffering, Paul is being given influence in the house of Caesar, and lives are being changed even there. (Philippians 4:22 “All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.”) So, it is because of his continued faithfulness, that Paul is able to say that he serves with a clear conscience. 

A clear conscience is no small thing. Countless hours have been spent by mankind fretting over things they have done and said to others. Lies told, wealth stolen, murders, envies and so much more have plagued our consciences ever since the fall in the garden. The burden of sin and guilt weighs heavy on us, even if we do not recognize the need for a Savior, people spend sleepless nights fretting over the value of their lives and over harsh words spoken in poor timing. Wondering if what we have done amounts to anything, if we are making a difference, thoughts centered around angry words spoken at the end of alive, and the inability to take them back. A clear conscience is a commodity that is valuable beyond measuring. 

And, so again, Paul reminds Timothy that his is clear and clean, and this can only come through the grace of Christ at work in Him, and in his own faithfulness to the call of carrying his cross daily for Him in ministry and life. Bad circumstances are often the result of poor choices, but not always. Paul finds himself precisely where God wanted him to be. People said several times, ‘He could have been released if only he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.’ but in the presence of Caesar is precisely where Paul needed to be. There is no fault or error that led him there. The influence that He is having for the sake of Christ in the heart of the Roman Empire is no mistake. Insomuch as Paul continues to trust and obey, his conscience will remain clear, and his service to the Lord will continue to be valuable, no mater what the external circumstances may be. 

And so, to encourage Timothy, Paul speaks to him in this, as a father to a son: 

“4 Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, 5 clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also.

6 Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

11 For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, 12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you.”

This is also our encouragement to faithfulness today as we GoLove others in the name of Christ through service and the Gospel message that has likewise been entrusted to us. Our clear conscience, the same as Paul’s, comes only through trusting in the grace of Christ, being joined with Him in baptism, and daily repenting, dying to self and letting Him lead as our Lord, Savior and Master.