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

In April 2001, Tim Shutt was the crew chief for NASCAR driver Mike McLaughlin. Tim was a new Christian who came to Christ at a Christian retreat for participants in the racing industry. Preparing for the major race in Talladega, Alabama, he was tempted to add an illegal part to the car. “Joe [Gibbs, team owner] is adamant that we don’t cheat,” said Shutt. Joe Gibbs is also a Christian and a former National Football League coach. Tim said to McLaughlin that morning in practice: “If we’re no good in practice, I’ll put this piece-the illegal piece-on. Probably 30 other teams are doing it.” Tim knew he was justifying it. Tim said: “I got up under the car, I got halfway through putting it on, and that verse, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God,’ came flashing in red in front of me, and whoa, that was it. I said, ‘I’m leaving this up to you, God.'” Shutt didn’t put the piece on the car. McLaughlin won the race at Talladega, and later reflected: “When we won, the first thing that came to my mind was that verse. God wanted to show himself to me.”

You will be regularly tempted to cheat, but resist the temptation and serve the Lord with a clear conscience. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His infinite love for you and seek to live this day for His glory.

“Cowardice asks the question: Is it safe? Consensus asks the question: Is it popular? Conscience asks: Is it right?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

God’s Word: “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” – 1 Timothy 3:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 2 TIMOTHY pkennedy@devotional.com