Acts 24:16  “I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.” (CSB)

—

A gift we can give ourselves is a clear conscience before God and people. 

There are two pathways toward a clear conscience. One does not take seriously laws, rules, and cultural expectations. This is the line of thinking that leads a person to believe he or she is his or her own law book. Whatever he or she wants is what is right. Such people really don’t care what you or anyone else thinks. 

This is not a clear conscience in the sense Paul used the term.

The second pathway is a matter of a clean slate with God and people. It is not a sinless life, but it is a lifestyle where sins are confessed, messes are cleaned up, and peace and harmony are the result. 

Paul walked in full agreement with God’s purpose. Whatever God wanted, that was what Paul wanted, too. He chose to do and say the right things with other people. He resolved issues as quickly as possible so that forgiveness and reconciliation were his default position. 

This kind of lifestyle is truly freeing. It lacks unnecessary burdens. It deepens and broadens relationships. It is comfortable and encouraging. 

What is there between you and God today that should be relieved or removed? Where are you at odds with your Creator, Savior, and Friend? Make peace with him now and stay at peace with him through humble obedience. Seek to know his will and ways and to walk in them. Enjoy the overflow of his abundant grace and mercy.

What is there between you and others? Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to ask forgiveness from someone? Is there a matter of resolution you need to initiate or respond to? 

Practice resolving problems as quickly as possible. Prevent small problems from becoming big problems. Remove angry expressions and painful retaliations from your array of responses. Know what Jesus would do and do that. 

We can live with many fewer knots in our guts and conflicts in our minds. We can live with hearts set free from fear and angst. 

—

I will keep a clear conscience before God and others.

—