Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” ACTS 23:1
Wait. Paul, who used to be Saul and persecuted Christians by stoning is saying this? I had to pray about that one. I don’t believe he was a lair. And I believe the Bible is Truth. But how could this statement he made before a council be correct?
I think Paul always acted in good conscience. Before receiving Christ as the Messiah, he was a devout Jew and upholding Roman citizen. He thought Christians were blasphemers and deserved to be punished under Jewish customs. He thought he was carrying out God’s will . . . until on the road of Damascus he was blinded by the Truth. If it hadn’t been for Paul’s zealous nature, he would not have spread the Word to so many towns and written so many letters that even today convert people. Christ knew what a value Paul would be.
He also knows what a value you and I are. No matter what we have done or said in the past, He can forgives us if we confess it to Him. The slate is wiped clean, and even if there are consequences to bear, He will be beside us all the way turning evil into good. What is forgiven is forgotten as far as the east is from the west in God’s eyes. It is we that still want to carry it like a stone around our necks.
Scripture says his mercies are new every morning. That means, each day, you can wipe the slate clean once again if you are truly repentant. Your conscience can be cleared up to this day, if you start it on your knees. Leave the past at His cross, pray for strength and the means to reconcile hurts, angers and misunderstandings, ask for help to change so you are not tempted to repeat the same mistakes, and move on, like Paul in good conscience.
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. This is a true saying and worthy of all to receive, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1Timothy: 5,15
