A Clear Conscience

Acts 23:1 "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

Paul was standing before the high priest standing trial for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As he began pleading his case before the religious council, he said, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."  I do not want to focus on Paul's arrest, or his defense of his preaching, but rather I want you to consider the phrase, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

If you have lived long enough to be able to read this article, then you have lived long enough to have some regrets in life.  We know the life of Paul.  He carried out orders to arrest and detain Christians. He was even present at the stoning and death of the deacon Stephen.  It amazes me how someone who was guilty of such things, was able to say that he had a clear conscience before God.  No doubt he was applying Philippians 3:13-14 where he said, "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"  

I believe Paul was able to achieve a clear conscience before God because of 4 things:

1. He surrendered his wants and desires in life for the cause of Christ - Philippians 3:7-8
2. He understood his position in Christ - Philippians 3:9 
3. He learned Christ and the blessings of suffering for Christ - Philippians 3:10-12
4. He focused on the present and future and didn't let his past defeat him - Philippians 3:13-14

Wouldn't you like to be able to have a clear conscience before God today?  Well, then you must first give up your goals and desires and begin living your life for God alone.  Understand that any righteousness that you have obtained, you obtained it through your faith in Christ and what He did on the Cross for you.  Begin learning more about Christ and understand the blessings that come from suffering for Him.  Please take note, if you only do the first 3, you will never know the victory of a clear conscience before God.  You must forget the past, and focus on what God is doing presently in your life, looking forward to the future of a life lived for God.  When you can do that, you too can say, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."