What is conscience?
The Apostle Paul describes conscience when speaking of pagans who never received the Law of Moses:
When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires… they show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all. (Rom 2:14–16)
(Since conscience is a ‘law’ from God, why was the outward, revealed Law needed?)
The revealed Law was given because human beings, in spite of conscience, did not obey the inward law, but led carnal and sinful lives, thereby “suppressing the truth” (Rom 1:18; see Q012) and stifling within themselves the voice of the spiritual law. This was true of all humanity, and also of God’s chosen people Israel, from whom Christ the Savior was to come according to the promise received by faith (Gen 3:15; Deu 7:6–8; Luk 1:55; Rom 4:13; see Q028, Q038).
An outward point of reference was therefore necessary, given in the commandments. As the Apostle explains: “What then is the law about? It was added because of transgressions” (Gal 3:19). God, knowing the human soul in its fallen state, wisely provided the Law as a blessing that endured until the coming of Christ the Savior, as the Psalmist exclaims: “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psa 19:7–8).
