October 24, 2022

Acts 24:16  “Believe me, I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.” (The Message Bible)

This is Paul speaking to the governor while on trial in the provincial capital. He has been accused of inciting a riot and desecrating the temple in Jerusalem. This is the main point of his defense. It is a bold statement! Most of us could say we do this in some instances or even in most situations. But to be totally transparent and honest in all we do, all the time? Most people would admit that’s not the case. Why aren’t we always that way? We are threatened on various levels and insecure and desire to be thought better than we truly are. Paul had some pretty serious mess ups in his past. But he knew the God who loved him and came to him when he was at his worst. Now he could try to do the right thing not to justify himself but because he knew his worth was not based on performance and that he could perform because he was found worthy of love. Say that line above again: “I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.” Does it ring true for you? Why or why not?