And Paul looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Acts 23:1
If Paul could say that, can you say the same about yourself?
The continuing verses referr to Paul and the division in the Church with the religious leaders of that day. The Sadducees and Pharisees did not agree doctrinaly on Angels, the Resurection, and other issues. One believed and the others didn't! Does the Church of today have this same problem of disbelief? Do you believe in the Resurrection? Do you believe in the Angelic host in Heaven? These were hot topics of church division among the Church. Despite the knowledge of just 35 years prior to this discourse, an angel appeared numberous times to Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Magedlene and many others! This was a time of miracles and yet the religious leaders chose not to believe and those who did believe did not have a clear conscience of who Jesus was and what he would do for all who believed!
Paul knowing of the divison between the Saducees and the Pharisees, identifies himself as to who he is, a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee! Now the division is apparent and Paul is removed from this eminent danger and division of the church!
The following night, Paul has an experience of the Lord standing by him and telling him to be of good cheer, ( be happy as you are) and as you have testified of me in Jerusalem so will you testify of me in Rome!
So in the misdt of danger even death, Paul has the Lord standing by him.! Do you have the Lord standing by you in the middle of danger or death? All Christians who are truly believers will have the Lord standing by them. In these troubled times, you must have Christ standing at your side if you expect to have a clear conscience when danger unfolds in front of you.
You must have Christ in front of you when religious leader come against you, when you know they are not doing Gods will or true service. In the last days false teachers will come and they are already here! You need to make sure the preaching agrees with the Bible not the words of men or women who claim to know the Word of God yet preach philosophy of words of humanism, socialism, or political correctness. This is not God's word but mens words of only self help!
Make it a daily plan to testify of the things God has done for you as Paul was commanded to do in Rome by Jesus himself! Give God glory and testify of what Jesus has done for you! You may be the voice in the wilderness that the unsaved need to hear in order to be saved and have a clear conscience with God!
In closing, I would ask each of you, Do you have a clear conscience with God? Is anything stand between you and God, that could seperate you eternaly from His presence? You can clear all of that up with Jesus now by simply asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and accepting Him as your Savior and Lord! Do it now and you too can have a Clear Conscience with God and man!
